The Race For Power: Election Update

how is the election panning out so far

As of May 2025, the Liberal Democrats have boosted their overall number of seats by more than 150, making gains in Devon, Cornwall, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. They have also taken control of Shropshire from the Conservatives and Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire, which were previously under no overall control. The Green Party has also made gains, winning seats in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. In the Philippines, Governor Ramon Guico III secured a second term after winning the elections in Pangasinan. In the 2024 US presidential election, Indiana looks to be in favour of Trump, but several swing states could impact the election.

Characteristics Values
Date May 2, 2025
Location Canada
Parties Involved Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Green Party, Reform UK, Labour
Winners Liberal Party, Reform UK
Notable Results Liberal Democrats gained control of Shropshire from the Conservatives; Reform UK won its first Parliamentary by-election

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Early voting and mail-in ballots

In recent decades, news outlets have typically called the US presidential race on election night or the morning after. However, there have been two notable exceptions. In 2000, a close race and legal challenges delayed the process, and in 2020, a rise in mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic also delayed results.

This year, state laws in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin prohibit election workers from counting early votes until Election Day, which is expected to delay results once again.

Absentee voting and vote-by-mail allow voters to cast their ballots before Election Day by mail or drop-off. Although most states have absentee voting, deadlines and rules vary. Some states require an excuse to vote absentee, while others do not. In most states, voters must request an absentee ballot for each election, but in some states, voters may qualify to receive absentee ballots for every election.

Some states offer vote-by-mail programs, automatically sending ballots to all registered voters before Election Day. Voters with mail-in ballots can also vote in person on Election Day, but they must bring their mail-in ballot to the polling place.

Colorado primarily conducts elections by mail. Ballots are mailed 22 days before Election Day or three days after the County Clerk receives a request for a mail-in ballot. Early voting is available without an excuse during regular business hours for eight days before a primary election and 15 days before a general election.

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Local and state races

At the state level, there are several notable contests. In Virginia, the general election will feature Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (Republican) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Democrat). While there hasn't been any recent polling, previous surveys gave Spanberger a modest lead. This election could result in a party flip, aligning with Virginia's modern voting history of electing governors from the non-White House party.

Additionally, there are state legislative special elections taking place. On May 13, 2025, residents of Omaha elected a new mayor, with Democratic Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr. defeating the incumbent Republican Mayor Jean Stothert. Also, on May 6, 2025, there were mayoral primaries in Cincinnati and Toledo, along with a State House special primary in New Hampshire.

In terms of parties, the Liberal Democrats have made significant gains in the number of seats, winning over 150 more than before. They have taken control of councils in several counties, including Devon, Cornwall, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, and have gained control of Shropshire from the Conservatives. The Green Party has also made gains, winning seats in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, but fell short in the West of England mayoral race. Meanwhile, in Canada, the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is set to form the next government, though it is unclear whether it will be a minority or majority rule.

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Swing states

In US presidential elections, a "swing state" is a state that could swing to either Democratic or Republican candidates. These states are often the focus of campaign visits, with candidates spending considerable time and resources to win them. This is because they are predictors of the overall presidential winner. For example, Florida decided the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.

The swing states in a given election are determined by how close the vote was in each state in previous elections, opinion polling, political trends, and the candidates and their policies. The swing-state "map" can transform dramatically between election cycles. For example, in 2008, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and North Carolina were close, while in 2024, the closest states were Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

In the 2024 election, there were seven swing states with 93 electoral votes: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nevada. Former President Donald Trump won enough of these states to secure 277 electoral votes, winning the presidency.

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Party flips

In the 2025 Canadian federal election, the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is set to form the next government. However, it is still unclear whether it will be a minority or majority government, as several races are too close to call. The Liberals have won seats in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a notable gain in Long Range Mountains, previously held by the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats have made significant gains, increasing their number of seats by over 150, and taking control of Shropshire from the Conservatives. They have also gained Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire, which previously had no overall control. The Liberal Democrats have now won more seats than the Conservatives, pushing them into third place.

Reform UK has also made gains, winning its first Parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, taking the seat from Labour. Reform also won its first mayoral contest, with former Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns winning in Greater Lincolnshire.

In the US, the Virginia general election will feature Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (Republican) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Democrat). A Democratic win would represent a party flip, consistent with Virginia's modern voting history, as the state has tended to elect governors from the non-White House party.

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Candidate backgrounds

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, ran for re-election as the Republican Party's candidate. Trump previously served as president from 2017 to 2021 and is known for his controversial policies and statements. He is the first president in American history to be impeached twice and the first to run for re-election after impeachment. Trump's campaign platform included mass deportation of illegal immigrants, an "America First" isolationist foreign policy, support for Israel, and anti-transgender policies. Trump faced criticism for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack and made unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. He survived an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, and went on to win the election.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, the incumbent US vice president, was the Democratic Party's nominee for president. Harris previously served as a US senator from California and was the first female vice president. As a candidate, she advocated for national abortion protections, LGBT rights, housing subsidies, and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. Harris was selected as Biden's running mate in 2020 and became the party's presumptive nominee after Biden ended his re-election campaign due to health concerns. She received the endorsement of Democratic delegates on August 5, 2024, and chose Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, the incumbent president, initially ran for re-election as the Democratic Party's candidate. Biden previously defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election. However, concerns about his age and health, particularly after a poor debate performance in June 2024, led him to end his campaign on July 21, 2024. Biden endorsed Harris as his successor, and she became the party's nominee.

Tim Walz

Tim Walz, the 41st governor of Minnesota, was selected as Kamala Harris's running mate for the Democratic Party. Walz previously served in the US Army National Guard and held several political positions before becoming governor in 2019. He focused on issues such as education, healthcare, and economic development during his gubernatorial tenure.

JD Vance

JD Vance, a junior US senator from Ohio, was Donald Trump's running mate for the Republican Party. Vance is a conservative politician and author who gained prominence through his writing and political commentary. He has expressed support for Trump's policies and agenda, including the "America First" ideology and mass deportation of illegal immigrants.

Frequently asked questions

The 2024 US Presidential Election saw a battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, with Indiana leaning towards Trump. However, the final results were not expected on Election Night due to varying vote-counting rules and a high volume of mail-in ballots.

The 2025 Philippine midterm elections witnessed victories for Governor Ramon Guico III in Pangasinan and Governor Daniel Fernando in Bulacan.

The 2025 US local elections included mayoral races in Omaha, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Ohio voters also approved a $2.5 billion infrastructure bond amendment. Reform UK won its first parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, while Labour retained mayorships in North Tyneside and Doncaster.

Election results are determined by individual states, with varying rules and timelines for vote counting. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) compiles official election results, but it does not govern voting laws, voter fraud, or election outcomes.

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