Midterm elections play an integral part in the national arena of politics. They are exactly what they state– elections during the middle of the current president’s term in office. Crucial seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate are taken by those who are more favored. Congress’s decisions are often dependent on these elections because the majority, expressed by the Republicans or Democrats, is usually the force that drives the legislative aspect of government. To date, the conservatives make up the majority of the House while liberals control the Senate. Based on the checks and balances of government, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for a president to pass a bill in favor of his party’s ideals while the legislative branch is dominated by the other party.

Candidates attract their potential voters through campaigns throughout the state and aired advertisements. They induce the listener or viewer to elect them by appealing to common concerns for the state, such as more education opportunities. Often, voters also draw their decision to vote by the actions, whether they be beneficial or detrimental to the people, of the current president. Candidates also often depend on some deemed swing voters. These people have no affinity to a certain party and vote based upon character and knowledge, although there are not many of them. Approximately 54 percent of people disagree with the president’s path to building America and believe that the GOP (Grand Old Party) will take over Congress in the 2014 midterm elections.

The midterm elections could result in the shift of power from the Democrats to the Republicans, radically changing fiscal ideals, reforming taxes, and ultimately attempting to repeal Obamacare, a set of laws that were implemented 2013 and are highly opposed by the GOP, their sympathizers, and specific professions such as entrepreneurs of small business who have had to decrease their work force to avoid high fees. However, the shifting of the majority could also have less of an effect than expected. As mentioned, the checks and balances also apply to Congress and President Obama can veto any bills that he disapproves of. Also, it is predicted that while in 2014 the GOP will control Congress, the Senate especially, Democrats may be able to create a turnover and become the majority in 2016. Whether it results in the betterment or the demise of society is highly dependent on the voters’ knowledge of the candidates’ goals and ideology of matters that fuel the engine of today’s arguments. One ballot is all it takes to make a difference that affects American society for the two years following the midterm elections of 2014.