US midterm elections: Former Democratic Senator warns about close races

The United States is set to have its midterm elections in November that would determine whether the Democratic Party maintains its control of Congress or if the Republican Party regains the majority. A former Democratic senator warned about the close races in the upcoming elections.

Speaking on MSNBC Monday, former Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill stressed the importance of voter turnout for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections, especially in the close races.

McCaskill noted that Democrats have been dismissive of candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump, adding that as the elections come closer with more and more money spent on ads to boost Republican candidates, the gaps in the polls start to narrow down.

Host Nicolle Wallace played a clip of Republican Jim Marchant, who is running to become Nevada’s next Secretary of State. In the clip, Marchant said that should he win, he would make the former president win the 2024 elections. McCaskill said this was the first time the US is in such a position.

McCaskill explained that the races would also determine the kind of people who are put in charge of monitoring the electoral processes, saying that the country “has taken for granted” those officials.

“If people don’t show up and vote in November in these midterms, we will have to have other countries sending monitors to America to watch our votes,” said McCaskill.

When Wallace pressed the former lawmaker if such a situation should happen already, McCaskill said that the issue lies with the candidates who are determined to overturn the will of the public in the elections.

The former lawmaker cited several close races in states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ohio, and North Carolina. McCaskill cited that the Republicans in those states are determined to ensure that the former president returns to the White House in 2024.

Election offices in several states have also begun enforcing stricter security measures leading up to the midterms.

A survey by Reuters of 30 election offices found that 15 offices have boosted security in a range of methods, such as installing panic buttons, hiring extra security guards, and undergoing active shooter and de-escalation training.

The outlets focused on states considered to be the most competitive and offices that have expressed the need for improved security in case of potential situations such as congressional testimony. Officials around the country have also said they are coordinating with their local law enforcement to be able to respond to disturbances.