The iWoman Report | Midterm Election Special: Your voice. Your vote. Our future.
Dear iWoman Community,
On this eve of midterm elections I want to encourage you loud and clear to please get out and Vote like your life depends on it… because it does.
If you are worried about the future of our country, you should be. The people we elect make decisions that affect our health care, our schools, our jobs, our rights, our safety, and the opportunities our children will inherit. Midterms matter because they determine who holds power—and whether anyone is there to challenge the direction our country is taking.
Millions have already cast their ballots. Millions more are expected to vote tomorrow. The early vote has surpassed the number of ballots cast before Election Day in 2022. But those ballots are not the outcome. The final result—and the future of our country—will depend on who shows up.
We have a real chance to change the balance of power in the United States Senate. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. That would not solve everything overnight, but it could change what gets heard, what gets voted on, and how our country moves forward. This is a pivotal moment for anyone who wants a different direction for our country.
Key women’s races to watch
Women are on the ballot in races that could shape leadership and representation across the country. Here are several Democratic women’s races to watch:
New York: Governor Kathy Hochul and lieutenant governor nominee Adrienne Adams; Attorney General Letitia James is also on the ballot.
Georgia: Keisha Lance Bottoms could become the state’s first woman governor and the nation’s first elected Black woman governor.
Tennessee: Jerri Green is running for governor.
New Mexico: Deb Haaland could become the nation’s first Native American woman governor.
Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar is running for governor.
Ohio: Amy Acton could become the state’s first elected woman governor.
U.S. Senate: Democratic women Mary Peltola in Alaska and Janet Mills in Maine are among the candidates in closely watched races.
These races matter for the candidates’ ideas and records—and because who holds office shapes whose experiences and concerns are represented.
This is also a historic year for Black candidates for governor. Eight Black major-party candidates are in gubernatorial races, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who is seeking reelection. Seven could become the first Black governor elected in their state.
Why your vote matters
The right to vote was fought for across generations. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, barred denying the vote because of race. Yet Black voters were still blocked through violence, intimidation, and discriminatory laws. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, prohibited denying the vote because of sex, but many Black women continued to face barriers. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 confronted many of those barriers directly. These rights were won through courage, sacrifice, organizing, and persistence. They cannot be taken for granted.
In 2026, voting access and representation remain urgent concerns. When communities risk losing a meaningful voice, participation matters even more. We honor those who came before us by using the power they fought to secure.
Women, Black voters, young people, and people of every race and background have a stake in what happens next. Our communities have fought too hard for the right to vote for us to sit this one out. We may not agree on every issue or every candidate, but our voices belong in this decision.
My own journey has taught me that public decisions are never abstract. They shape the opportunities available to children, families, and entire communities. Voting is personal. It is one way we stand up for ourselves, for one another, and for the generations coming us.
That is why I am proud to stand with leaders who stand with our communities, but I am encouraging all of you to do the same.. When women support women—and Black voters support candidates who will fight for us on the front lines—we help ensure our voices, our needs, and our future are represented.
So, wherever you are, please make a plan to vote tomorrow. Check your polling place and hours, bring someone with you, and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to cast a ballot. If you have already voted, thank you. Reach out to someone who may still need a reminder.
Your vote matters. Our voices matter. The future is being shaped right now—and we have a chance to shape it together.
With purpose, solidarity and hope,
Cathleen Trigg
Founder & CEO
iWoman, Inc.
Polling locations and hours vary. Please confirm your details with your local election office before heading out.
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