What the November 2018 Election Was About
On November 6, 2018, voters in the United States chose members of Congress and thousands of state and local officials, while many ballot measures addressed specific laws and budgets. These elections were framed as a national referendum on the sitting president and set the stage for the 2020 cycle by shifting partisan control of the U.S. House and affecting statehouses and courts for years. This guide explains what appeared on ballots, how races and measures work, and how to research your specific ballot, using reliable public sources.
Federal and State Offices on the Ballot
Every state held elections for at least one U.S. House seat, and 36 states held gubernatorial races in November 2018. Most states also elected state legislative chambers, secretaries of state, attorneys general, superintendents of public instruction, and other constitutional offices. In addition, many states had ballot measures, often called initiatives, referendums, or propositions, that asked voters to approve, reject, or amend laws and constitutions. Local jurisdictions placed school board, city council, bond issues, and zoning questions on ballots where applicable.
Offices by Government Level
- U.S. House of Representatives: all 435 seats were contested, affecting party control of the chamber.
- Gubernatorial: 36 states chose or re-elected a governor, with notable flips that shifted state-level policy direction.
- State legislatures: chambers in numerous states saw partisan turnover, changing committee leadership and bill passage dynamics.
- Statewide executives and judiciary: elections for attorneys general, secretaries of state, and appellate judges influencing enforcement and interpretation of laws.
How Ballot Measures Work
Ballot measures can be citizen initiatives, legislative referrals, or referendums on existing laws. Measures often require a specified percentage of votes to pass and may address taxes, budgets, civil rights, environmental policy, and public finance. Because thresholds and rules vary by state and sometimes by locality, whether a measure passes can depend on nuanced wording, filing deadlines, and signature requirements. Election offices commonly publish sample ballots and explainer materials that show exact language, fiscal effects, and summaries of arguments for and against.
Common Measure Types at a Glance
| Measure Type | What It Does | Notes on Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Initiatives | Proposed by citizens to create or change laws | Often require petition signatures and a voter threshold |
| Legislative referrals | Placed by state legislatures | May be routine or politically contentious |
| Referendums | Voters approve or reject existing laws or bonds | Used for statutes, budgets, or local projects |
Finding What Was on Your Specific Ballot
Because ballots differ by state, county, and municipality, the exact races and measures in November 2018 depended on your location. To see what appeared where you live, use nonpartisan, official resources such as your state election office, secretary of state website, or verified local election office. Many secretaries of state provide sample ballots by address that include candidates, party affiliations, and measure texts. BallotReady, Ballotopedia, and similar tools can also help when sourced from verifiable public data.
Steps to Check Your 2018 Ballot (Still Useful for Future Elections)
- Visit your state or local election office website.
- Enter your registered address or precinct information.
- Review the sample ballot for offices and measures in your jurisdiction.
- Check nonpartisan voter guides for context and fiscal notes.
Why These Elections Matter Over Time
The contests in November 2018 influenced legislative priorities, budget decisions, and judicial rulings for years. The shift in the U.S. House affected investigations, committee hearings, and the fate of pending legislation at the federal level. State-level outcomes altered education funding, ballot access rules, redistricting processes, and voting procedures. Understanding how offices and measures appear on ballots helps voters participate more effectively in future cycles and hold officials accountable between elections.
Key Takeaways
- November 2018 included congressional, gubernatorial, state legislative, and local races nationwide.
- Ballot measures varied by jurisdiction and addressed policy, budgets, and constitutional questions.
- Use official, nonpartisan sources to find exactly what appeared in your precinct.
- Election outcomes in 2018 shaped the policy and political landscape for years afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines what appears on a ballot?
Ballots are determined by jurisdiction, office hierarchy, and local questions. Offices follow state and federal schedules, while measures depend on state laws, petition success, and legislative referral.
How can I see what was on my 2018 ballot now?
Visit your state or local election website and use archive or sample ballot tools. Many secretaries of state keep historical sample ballots indexed by address and election date.
Are local issues as important as presidential races?
Yes. Local races and measures decide schools, policing, zoning, budgets, and many day-to-day policies that directly affect communities and individuals.