Democrats won big on Tuesday. What’s next for American democracy?

An enormous blue wave crashed over all levels of government this midterm cycle. Congressional seats, governor’s mansions and state legislatures flipped from Republican to Democrat, some in surprising fashion. Democrats claimed “trifecta” power in some state capitals, broke supermajorities in others and won other influential statewide offices. 

For months, the Trump administration tried to assert federal control over the election process to bolster Republicans’ chances of maintaining power. President Donald Trump pushed GOP-led states to gerrymander their congressional districts, demanded state voter rolls through legal challenges and threatened to send armed federal agents to the polls. 

Despite fears about possible interference or intimidation heading into Election Day, voters turned out en masse and have shifted the course of policymaking over the next several years in their states and on Capitol Hill. 

In Episode 53, we’re reflecting on the state of American democracy, election integrity and what Tuesday’s results could mean for policymaking in reshaped statehouses. 

States Newsroom democracy reporter Jonathan Shorman and Evening Wrap newsletter writer Danielle Gaines will chat about the major trends from this election, what surprised them and what could be next.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.

Click here for the full transcript.

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

• Trump’s gerrymandering push flops as Democrats win redrawn seats (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau)
• What will Pennsylvania Democrats do with a trifecta in Harrisburg? (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
• Shomari Figures wins reelection in AL-02, overcoming Republican gerrymander (Alabama Reflector)
• Democrats flip Texas House amid generational wave (Texas Tribune)
• In blue wave, Democrats flipped legislatures, won trifectas and toppled GOP supermajorities (Stateline)

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected]