Facts about the US elections 2023

Here's everything you need to know about the US elections in 2023

Reuters, 19 January - After the 2022 midterm elections in the United States, this year's elections will be used to gauge public sentiment towards important issues and the effect of former President Donald Trump in advance of the 2024 presidential election.

Observe the following competitions:

GOVERNORS:

The gubernatorial race in Kentucky, where Democratic Governor Andy Beshear will run for a second term in a state that supported Republican Donald Trump by more than 25 percentage points in 2020, may be the most well-known election this year.

Six out of ten Kentuckians approved of Beshear's performance, according to tracking poll data from Morning Consult released this month, despite the state's overwhelming Republican majority. Beshear was ranked as the most popular Democratic governor in the nation.

He received praise for the way he handled two catastrophes: the fatal storms that killed 80 people in western Kentucky in 2021 and the terrible flooding that killed more than 40 people in eastern Kentucky the previous year.

Daniel Cameron, the state's attorney  to the UN, the state auditor Mike Harmon, the agriculture commissioner Ryan Quarles, and others. 

Republicans have a great chance to retake the governorship in Louisiana, a state that Trump won by over 20 percentage points, because Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is unable to serve another term. One of three Republicans to declare a run for governor is state attorney general Jeff Landry. Well-known Democrats have not yet entered the race.

The state's October "jungle primary," so called because everyone participates regardless of political party, will feature all candidates. On Nov. 18, the top two vote-getters square off if no candidate receives 50% of the vote.

COURT SUPREME OF WISCONSIN:

On April 4, voters in Wisconsin will decide who controls the state's highest court, a decision that will have a significant impact on abortion rights and other problems. The present court has a conservative majority of 4-3, but conservative Justice Patience Roggensack's position is vacant as a result of her decision not to seek reelection.

After the U.S. Supreme Court voted to end a national right to abortion last year, the court is expected to eventually decide whether to uphold an 1849 near-total ban on abortions. Despite the fact that all of the state's abortion clinics have stopped providing the service, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has launched a lawsuit disputing the validity of the 174-year-old legislation.

Prior to the competitive state's presidential election in 2024, the court might also hear matters that have an impact on voting access. The conservative majority effectively outlawed ballot drop boxes in a 4-3 decision from last year, determining that they were against state law.

MAYORS:

Democrat Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago, will be up for reelection on February 28. Among her eight opponents is U.S. Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who reclaimed his seat in his Chicago-area district with ease in November, just two days before announcing his bid for mayor.

The top two vote-getters move on to an April runoff if no candidate receives 50% of the vote.

This year, voters will choose mayors for cities all throughout the country, including Houston and Philadelphia, whose Democratic mayors are constrained by term limitations from seeking re-election.

NATIONAL SENATES:

Two years after Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's victory in a state that favoured Democratic President Joe Biden by a significant majority, control of both legislative chambers in Virginia will be up for grabs in the November election. Republicans enjoy a slim advantage in the Virginia House of Delegates, while Democrats maintain a razor-thin majority in the state Senate.

Most likely, abortion will be a significant factor. A 15-week abortion ban has been advocated for by Youngkin, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, and it may become law if Republicans take over the legislature. The majority of abortions are carried out in the first trimester, however the state officially permits them up to 26 weeks, or the first two trimesters.

Following a surprising victory by Republicans in 2021, New Jersey will also host legislative elections. However, it is anticipated that Democrats would keep control of both chambers.