WashingtonPost.com: National Elections '98

Elections 1998

By the Numbers
Last Updated: 12:10 p.m. EST, November 5

Party Split | Turnout-O-Meter | Incumbency and Open Seats

House Vote, By Region

Region Democratic Republican Independent/Other

Mid-Atlantic 48% 48% 3%

Midwest 49% 49% 2%

Northeast 54% 41% 4%

Pacific 51% 44% 5%

Plains 32% 65% 2%

Rockies 37% 58% 5%

South 45% 52% 3%

Southwest 43% 54% 3%

U.S. TOTAL 48% 49% 3%

Note: Contested seats only.

... And in the Washington Area

State Democratic Republican Independent/Other

Maryland 54% 46% 0%

Virginia 34% 57% 9%

Note: Contested seats only.

Elections '98 Turnout-O-Meter

How will voter turnout turn out? Watch here as the votes get totalled, and compare the results to previous off-year elections.

1982 38.0%

1986 33.5%

1990 33.1%

1994 36.6%

Votes Counted
So Far 33.4%*

Note: Turnout percentages are the number of voters in House races divided by U.S. Census Bureau estimates of voting age population. 1998 turnout percentage will be updated as votes are reported.

Incumbency and Open Seats
Incumbents have a big advantage when seeking reelection. By contrast, campaigns for open seats are often the most competitive -- and the best indicator of relative party strength.

How Incumbents Fared
(Not including uncontested or open seats.)

Incumbents
61.2%
Challengers
38.8%

Party Split in Open-Seat Races

Dem. GOP Ind./Oth.

43
52
5
50
48
2
48
49
3

Governor Senate House

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