LUKE BALL: The midterm warning signs for Democrats no one is talking about

Luke Ball argues that Democrats’ midterm gains do not amount to broad voter support for the party’s policy agenda. He says the results reflect backlash against unmet Republican promises, while conservative ballot measures passed in several states that also elected Democratic candidates.

Ball cites Colorado’s approval of measures on women’s sports and gender transition surgeries for minors, North Carolina’s mail-in voter ID requirement, and Arizona’s designation of cartels as terrorist organisations. He also points to measures on school sports in Washington, voter ID in Nevada and DEI policies in Wisconsin, arguing these outcomes expose a gap between Democratic voters’ candidate choices and some positions associated with the party.