Roe vs Wade Decision Could Impact Elections

June 27, 2022, 5 a.m. ·

gavel on top of the Constitution with words "Roe v. Wade"
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday, June 24th, ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading to some uncertainty on how that affects tribal lands.

A lot of political pundits say the Roe decision could have a big impact on this year’s mid-term elections.

Tuesday, voters in Nebraska’s First Congressional District go to the polls in a special election. They’ll be choosing between Republican Mike Flood and Democrat Patty Pansing Brooks to replace Jeff Fortenberry, who resigned from office.

U-N-O political science professor Randy Atkins says it is hard to tell if the Supreme Court decision will impact that election, especially since many people have already cast their ballots in early voting.

But, he says in November that could be different, because it could make more races across the country where there is no incumbent running, more competitive.

“I would throw the First Congressional District as being one of those that would normally not be in a competitive campaign because it had a pretty entrenched incumbent," he said. But, because it’s an open seat that campaign becomes more competitive.”

Atkins thinks the number of Congressional seats that will be competitive in November could double because of the Supreme Court decision.