Perhaps the Rumors of Democracy’s Demise Were Premature

In this month’s midterm elections, high turnout and the acceptance of results offered evidence that US democracy remains resilient, despite warnings of a sharp decline. The article argues that voters’ rejection of the governing administration showed the popular will could still prevail, while cautioning that one fair election does not settle concerns about President Trump’s use of power.

Turnout was the second highest for a midterm in more than a century, and Republicans trailed by 13 points in the national vote. Democrat James Talarico won a Texas Senate seat, the first Democrat to do so since 1988, while Scott Colom was declared the winner of a close Mississippi Senate race without challenges or protests. The article points to state and congressional control over election rules, local election offices and the courts as safeguards, while noting the continuing debate over whether Trump’s actions amount to democratic backsliding.