"Breaking Spice news…" – The Spice Girls, announcing a reunion tour sans Posh. Guess they don't want to bend it like Beckham.

MAY THE VOTE BE WITH YOU

The Story

The midterms are here. Time to get out and vote. No Excuses.

What do I need to know?

That your vote matters. The 2016 presidential election was decided by less than 100,000 people. So every. Vote. Counts.

Why is this election such a big damn deal?

Well, for one...it's the most expensive and one of the most diverse midterms ever. There are a record number of women, LGBTQ candidates, and Muslims running. The election is also seen as a referendum on President Trump. Many candidates are running a campaign with either pro- or anti-Trump talking points. And the prez has been hitting the campaign trail to throw out last-minute policy proposals – like a cut to middle-class taxes and stricter immigration policies – that some say are a strategy to get his supporters to the polls.

What's at stake?

Dems need to flip 23 House seats to take the talking stick there. And races in states like Virginia, Florida, and New Jersey will be crucial if Dems want to bring a blue wave. Meanwhile, it's looking like the GOP has a better chance at holding on to the Senate. And possibly even increasing their hold there. You may also be voting for positions and ballot measures at the state and local level that can impact your day-to-day life when it comes to everything from health care to gun policy. Check what's on your ballot here.

What races should I keep an eye on?

A lot. But here are the two getting the most headlines…

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Beto O'Rourke (D)...Texas hasn't elected a Democrat for statewide office in nearly three decades. O'Rourke has been giving Cruz a literal run for his money. It'd be a BF-political-D if he pulls off an upset, and has one of the country's most reliably red states seeing purple.

Sec of State Brian Kemp (R) vs Stacey Abrams (D)...the Georgia governor's race has been overshadowed by allegations of voter hacking, voter suppression, and racist robocalls. It's become one of the biggest races to watch. If Abrams wins, she'll be the first black female governor in US history.

PS: Here's your Skimm on the other key races to watch tonight.

What are the big issues and where are they playing out?

Immigration…always top of mind for voters in border states like Texas and Arizona. But has come into focus on a national level this year since it's been a major focus of the Trump admin with things like the "zero tolerance" policy, the rhetoric surrounding this year's migrant caravans, and a push to end birthright citizenship. News outlets have also been pulling and refusing to air Trump's immigration ad that's been called racist.

Health care...Dems are running on protecting coverage of pre-existing conditions (think: cancer, diabetes) and going all in on the idea of universal health care. At the same time, 20 red states are trying to put pre-existing conditions on the chopping block with this lawsuit. It's forcing GOP candidates to play defense, especially in governor and attorney general races in places like Florida and Wisconsin.

Trade war...tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China are hitting major farming states like Iowa and Wisconsin the hardest. But the Trump admin has tried to make up for it with aid for certain farmers. It's unclear if the issue has turned off GOP voters, who are typically pro-free trade.

Education...teacher strikes in states including Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia put a spotlight on teachers' low paychecks and a lack of education funding. More than 1,000 current or former education workers are running for local office this year. And most are Democrats, which could turn some statehouses blue.

The Supreme Court...both parties say Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation and the sexual assault allegations against him are motivating their voters to show up today. And could play a big role in two Senate races: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) – two Dems running for re-election in states Trump won. Heitkamp voted against Kavanaugh and Manchin voted for him.

PS: Here's your Skimm on the other big issues of the year.

Ok, all caught up. What now?

Go get that "I voted" sticker. The one more than 30 million other Americans are already rocking. Find your polling location and its open hours here. Remind yourself what will be on your ballot. And check whether you need to bring ID.

theSkimm

Today, you get to decide who represents you. Your health care. Your taxes. Your rights. Make your voice heard. Vote.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching…

Tanzania. Hundreds of gay Tanzanians are reportedly in hiding after the country's largest city recently announced a crackdown. Like other countries in the region, Tanzania has some very severe laws against the LGBT community. Think: gay men could spend 30 years in jail for having sex. Last week, the governor of the largest city there announced a task force to proactively find and round up gay people, telling Tanzanians to "report them" to him. Since then, officials say they've received thousands of tips. The US embassy there is warning its citizens to watch out and even scrub their social media profiles. The national gov isn't condoning this crackdown – but it isn't pushing back either. Speaking of things that are unsafe…Cameroon. This week, dozens of students and their principal were kidnapped from a Presbyterian school in the country's northwest. It's still unclear who's behind it but people are suspecting armed separatists.

What to say to your friend in a toxic relationship…

This can't continue. Yesterday, the US Olympic Committee officially took control of USA Gymnastics. Reminder: hundreds of women and girls have accused former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar of molesting them. USA Gymnastics has faced multiple lawsuits, and a high turnover in leadership. Now, the US Olympic Committee – which has also been in hot water over how it's handled this – is finally stepping in. It's stating the obvious: that USA Gymnastics is a mess. And it's taking the first steps to decertify it, which means it would lose its authority as the sport's national governing body. It's still not clear whether USA Gymnastics plans to fight this.

What to say when you're starting to get over a cold…

On the mend. So is the Earth's ozone layer. Back in the '70s, scientists warned that things like aerosol sprays and coolants were destroying the ozone layer (which protects the planet from UV rays). And those products were phased out worldwide. The UN says this success shows what countries can do if they work together for the good of the planet (cough, climate change).

What to say when you hear Idris Elba is this year's Sexiest Man Alive…

Can't argue with that. Meanwhile, Amazon can't pick just one.

What to say when you hate the word "spanking"…

So do these doctors.

NO EXCUSES

Today is THE day…to make your voice heard. To make No Excuses. To vote.

And we mean it when we say No Excuses. Can't find your polling place? We got you. Don't know who's on your ballot? We got you.

We'll be here to answer your questions all day. Just tweet us @theSkimm with #SkimmLineBling #NoExcuses and we'll help you out.

Once you've voted, tell us. We want to celebrate with you. Either…

• Reply to this email and give us your first and last name, and the zip code where you voted

• Text us your first/last name and zip at (914) 984-8233

• Or go here

PS: Vote.

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