Three things for November 5
1. 2020 election winners make history
The 2020 election saw a diverse set of candidates with declared wins already making history. Votes are still being tallied, but barrier-breaking candidates have notched victories in some races that have been called.
Cori Bush, a progressive who rose to victory over Republican Anthony Rogers, became the first Black woman elected to represent the state of Missouri in Congress.
Democrats Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones beat their Republican opponents and became the first openly gay Black men elected to Congress. Additionally, Sarah McBride’s victory in Delaware’s first senate district made her the highest-ranking trans official in the U.S.
Former Mayor of Tacoma, Washington Marilyn Strickland became the first Korean-American woman ever elected to Congress and the first Black woman to represent Washington State at the federal level.
With the election night victories of Deb Haaland, Yvette Herrell and Teresa Leger Fernandez, New Mexico’s entire House delegation will consist of women of color.
2. Five states pass legal marijuana measures in 2020 elections
Voters in Arizona, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota voted to legalize recreational marijuana for people age 21 or older, joining 11 other states and Washington, D.C.
While Oregon legalized marijuana in 2015, voters recently approved a ballot measure decriminalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs, including cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamines. This measure also applies marijuana sales taxes toward payments for drug addiction treatment.
South Dakota voters also approved a measure to establish a medical marijuana program in the state for “individuals with a debilitating medical condition,” according to NPR News.
3. Voters approve new Mississippi state flag
On Tuesday, voters approved the changing of the Mississippi state flag. The new state flag, adorned with a magnolia and the phrase “In God We Trust,” will replace a Confederate-themed flag. State lawmakers retired the old flag months ago as part of the national reckoning over racial injustice.
The magnolia flag was the only design on the general election ballot, and voters were asked to respond yes or no, according to AP News.
With the majority voting yes on the change, the flag will now be signed into law.
