As the country approaches Election Day, voters are homing in on specific issues that may decide the fate of Congress and several state governments in November.
The Washington Examiner has been tracking the issues that have been on the top of voters’ minds over the last three months as they prepare to head to the polls, particularly in key battleground states that could bring a shift in power to the federal government. Specifically, we’re tracking how voters are researching our top five issues — abortion, crime, education, inflation, and taxes — and how these interests fluctuate as we get closer to Election Day.
MIDTERMS 2022: TRACKING THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO VOTERS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY
Internet searches related to those voter priorities have shifted dramatically in Ohio since the beginning of August, particularly in relation to the state’s Senate and gubernatorial races. Here’s how the political playing field has changed over the last three months between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31:
Key races to watch:
Ohio voters will elect a new senator in a race that is likely to determine which party will control the Senate for the next two years. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) is facing Trump-backed J.D. Vance after Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced he would retire at the end of this term.
Further down the ballot is the governor’s race, which could have an impact on how presidential elections are held in the state — especially after claims of widespread voter fraud that Trump allies claim are responsible for the former president’s loss in 2020. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine faces a challenge from Democratic challenger Nan Whaley in a tightly contested race to head the state’s government.
Education reigned supreme, clocking in at No. 1 for much of midterm cycle
Education emerged as the most researched topic among Ohio voters over the last three months of the midterm cycle, hardly ever falling below its No. 1 spot.
Republican candidates in Ohio have especially leaned in on education throughout the midterm election cycle, emphasizing curriculum transparency and parent choice as focal points in their campaigns.
Further down the ballot, Ohioans will have the chance to elect new members of Ohio’s State Board of Education — a race that typically goes under the radar but has gained more attention over the last two years as schools have come under scrutiny for teaching “controversial topics.” Whomever Ohio voters elect to the board will face a slew of policy-related battles, including proposals on banning classroom discussions on gender and sexuality.
Abortion fell to least researched issue even as laws changed
Despite starting strong and being one of the most researched topics over the summer, internet searches related to abortion fell to become the least researched issue as of late October.
That could spell trouble for Democrats, who have relied on the issue as a key motivator to increase voter turnout in their favor.
The fall in interest came even as Ohio enacted a new abortion law that bans the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected except for cases in which the mother’s life is at risk. Abortion access animated the Ohio Senate race after Ryan and Vance retreated to opposite sides of the aisle.
Ryan has voiced his support of codifying abortion rights into federal law, while Vance has argued in support of banning the procedure and leaving the decision up to the states.
Crime rising in interest as midterm elections near
Crime has long been one of the most-researched topics among Ohio voters over the last three months, especially rising in interest in the last two weeks of the midterm elections.
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The state’s record crime spike has prompted candidates to focus on the issue throughout their campaigns, especially in the Senate race between Ryan and Vance. Ryan has been a target of criticism by Republicans in the state who accused the incumbent senator of being too soft on crime, pointing to his support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that seeks to prevent racial bias in law enforcement.
Vance may also have an advantage because Republicans are typically considered to be better at handling crime, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll from April. That sentiment has shifted in previous years, as voters used to consider both parties equal on the matter.
