Rashisa Tlaib
Photo by Anthony Lanzilote
Last week’s 2018 midterm elections signaled an increase in diversity and voter participation across the country. An estimated 113 million people across the country voted, setting a new midterm record for voter turnout. Nearly 48 percent of eligible voters hit the polls this midterm, with nearly two-thirds of eligible voters in Minnesota taking to the polls.
While politicians across the country aimed for blue and red to color the 2018 midterm elections, it was decidedly Black and pink waves that impacted the landscape. And Black voters showed up and showed out across the country, even helping to push historically red states and seats closer towards the blue line.
“It was really good to see our people be more excited about the process,” said Anika Robbins, founder of Black Votes Matter MN, a nonpartisan organization aimed at increasing civic participation and leadership development in the Black community. “We saw more participation. We saw people going in families, as a unit, to vote,” Robbins said.
And the election was full of historic wins, especially right here in Minnesota.