The other midterm wave

The other 2018 midterm wave: A historic 10-point jump in turnout among young people [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 8 November 2018 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair [Support The Conversation in NewsMatch 2018. Your donation will be doubled.]( Editor's note While pundits across the media expected a blue wave in the 2018 midterm elections, a group of researchers at Tufts University have had their eye on something else: young people. Early results show they had good reason. People between the ages of 18 and 29 turned out in record numbers, writes Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, which [actually helps explain some of the major Democratic Party wins](. She writes that “young people have gotten involved and felt ready to make a change in American politics – and so they did.” Latinos also appear to have voted in record numbers yesterday. The turnout proves that this big and growing group – which has historically voted at low rates – will show up for politicians and parties who talk to them about the issues that matter the most. That’s a [lesson for both parties going into 2020](, writes UC Berkeley’s Lisa Garcia Bedolla. In some respects, the election was seen as a referendum on the #MeToo movement, which helped propel more than 500 women to run for political office. And come January, a record number will take seats in Congress, a big reason the House turned blue. University of Oregon law professor Elizabeth C. Tippett that Democrats, with their new power, may finally do for #MeToo what lawmakers did after the 2008 financial collapse: get to the root causes of the crisis and find out [why companies turned a blind eye]( to sexual misconduct for so long. Danielle Douez Associate Editor, Politics + Society Top stories Nine months after Parkland, students like David Hogg have joined the youth voter wave. AP Photo/John Raoux [The other 2018 midterm wave: A historic 10-point jump in turnout among young people]( Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Tufts University A survey shows the newest generation on the voting block is extremely cynical, and that drove record numbers of them out to vote. Democrat Beto O'Rourke won 63 percent of Latino voters in Texas, exit polls show, and Latinos seem to have voted in record numbers. But it wasn’t enough to win. AP Photo/Eric Gay [Latinos can be an electoral force in 2020]( Lisa Garcia Bedolla, University of California, Berkeley Record high Latino participation shows this growing voter segment will turn out for parties and politicians who tackle issues they care about. That's a big lesson for 2020 – and not just for Dems. The #MeToo marchers said they represented people who had been sexually abused. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson [#MeToo could become a national reckoning – if the new House treats it like a financial crisis]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon After a year of headlines and ousted CEOs, Congress has yet to pass a single piece of legislation on sexual harassment – let alone hold a hearing. That will change come January. Midterms 2018 - [Left behind: The midterm view from Iowa]( Paul Lasley, Iowa State University In Iowa, almost 40 percent of residents can't afford the basic cost of living. That was the setting for the 2018 midterm elections, where rural voters are suffering along with their communities. Economy + Business - [The US government has huge debts, and House Democrats could lead the way on solutions – an economist explains how]( Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Boston University As House Democrats prepare their agenda for the next two years, dealing with America's massive fiscal gap should be at the top of their list. Environment + Energy - [Coloradans reject restrictions on drilling distances from homes and schools]( Stephanie Malin, Colorado State University; Tara Opsal, Colorado State University Big oil and gas companies spent far more fighting this ballot initiative than the measure's supporters did. Health + Medicine - [The votes have been counted, the results are (mostly) in: What’s next for health care?]( Simon F. Haeder, West Virginia University Voters listed health care as one of their biggest concerns in the midterm elections. Were their concerns addressed? The results are mixed. - [Could a self-powered glucose-monitoring device be the answer diabetics need?]( Gymama Slaughter, Old Dominion University A key part of preventing secondary medical problems from diabetes involves glucose monitoring. For National Diabetes Month, a researcher describes her work on a self-powered monitor. Science + Technology - [Driving autonomous cars off the beaten path]( Matthew Doude, Mississippi State University; Christopher Goodin, Mississippi State University; Daniel Carruth, Mississippi State University One-third of roads in the U.S. are unpaved; plenty more have faded or obscured road markings. Today's self-driving vehicles can't go on them, and will need new algorithms to handle those conditions. Education - [What is public service loan forgiveness? And how do I qualify to get it?]( Robert Kelchen, Seton Hall University A higher education professor explains the complex rules behind Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program meant to provide debt relief to student loan borrowers who went into public service jobs. Ethics + Religion - [Blasphemy law is repealed in Ireland, enforced in Pakistan – and a problem in many Christian and Muslim countries]( Steve Pinkerton, Case Western Reserve University There has been outrage over the release of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. An expert explains how blasphemy laws are hardly obsolete throughout the West. Most read on site - [Think you’re bad at math? You may suffer from ‘math trauma’]( Jennifer Ruef, University of Oregon Many Americans feel anxiety or dread when it comes to math. A lot of that anxiety starts in childhood. - [Pittsburgh trauma surgeon: ‘Stop the Bleed’ training saved lives after shooting, but stopping the need must be next]( Matthew D. Neal, MD FACS, University of Pittsburgh Quickly stopping the bleeding caused by wounds from assault weapons is critical. While 'Stop the Bleed' training has worked, a trauma surgeon asks: Wouldn't it be better to stop the need for it? - [2 economic policies likely to change with Democrats in control of House]( Steven Pressman, Colorado State University While a divided Congress will likely mean gridlock, there are two economic policies likely to see significant change: trade and infrastructure. Today’s quote [In a night with mixed results, Medicaid came out a winner in a number of ways.]( [The votes have been counted, the results are (mostly) in: What’s next for health care?]( Simon F. Haeder West Virginia University [Simon F. Haeder] [Your gift of $10 to $1000 will be doubled during NewsMatch - a national effort to support non-profit news organizations like The Conversation US]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111