In 2018, elections are something of a tech story, thanks to the impact of social media and the potential, terrifying effects of hackers getting involved.
Social media has a significant role to play in every election, perhaps now more than ever. Here’s how Twitter reacted to the 2018 mid-terms.
In the lead up to the election, the ‘voting in 2016 vs. voting in 2018’ meme was getting a lot of traction.
Me voting in 2016 versus me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/bpwb2DexAS
— Oliver Willis (@owillis)
Me voting in 2016 versus me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/MzbrvPEoxd
— Santosh Hari 🤔 (@_s_hari)
Me voting in 2016 versus me voting in 2018. pic.twitter.com/T9XepG4ubw
— Matt Fowler (@TheMattFowler)
Me voting in 2016 vs me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/wM8l1uGvLe
— Jennifer Reitman (@JenniferReitman)
me voting in 2016 vs me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/Yj3AoaYuHi
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo)
me voting in 2016 vs. me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/TzyxzRf3nq
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer)
Me voting in 2016 compared to me voting today @HamillHimself pic.twitter.com/6kkowrcljC
— Isaiah Johnson (@IsaiahJ_17)
me voting in 2016 vs me voting in 2018 pic.twitter.com/oI7VLBRito
— priscilla page (@BBW_BFF)
Ah yes, the world we inhabit has changed much in the last two years, regardless of which way you swing. We’re all different people compared with the ones who voted in 2016.
Later people became really excited about having voted. Everyone was tweeting selfies with the ‘I voted’ sticker. Elon Musk stuck his on his forehead:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
And of course the internet had a field day with that one. The photoshops keep on coming…
Fixed it for ya. pic.twitter.com/EILIKshXfA
— nothingtoseehere (@GLOBEXIT_RO)
— reexfx (@XFxeeR)
Also, before we move along, please read the absolutely best Midterms elections Twitter thread, hands down. It starts with this tweet. I promise you it’s worth it.
Okay. As promised, a short thread breaking down the absolutely bonkers elections happening in Alaska today, including a race that could unseat the current longest-serving member of Congress. Let’s journey to the frozen north together.
— Jordan Rudner (@jrud)
Moving on.

The drive to bring more people to the polls this time around has been a huge story, and a huge part of Twitter. In the early going there was a broad, general joy at taking part in the democratic process. This is a good thing.
Took me 2 trips and a 30 minute line for this one sticker right here. Folks, you may have lines b/c of broken scanners (hence the Eyewitness News van outside my polling place) but be persistent. This is TOO important to sit out! Your voice does matter! #IVoted #VotingRightsAct pic.twitter.com/haKwo2SgTt
— Ramona GrossPhillips (@RGPhillips_1803)
And yes Andrew W.K. I agree.
Voting counts as partying.
— ANDREW W.K. (@AndrewWK)
Now that the dust in beginning to settle, it looks like Republicans will retain control of the Senate.
BREAKING: Republicans will maintain control of the Senate. #ElectionNight #Midterms2018 https://t.co/moYOfg9CCw
— CBS News (@CBSNews)
Ted Cruz has narrowly been re-elected in an intensely close race with Democrat Beto O’Rourke. That was a major talking point online and an important one. Cruz’s victory most likely secured control of the Senate for the Republicans.
If you’ve spent any time on Twitter, you’re probably aware: Twitter and Cruz don’t really get along.
to all you texans who voted for ted cruz instead of #beto pic.twitter.com/Wi2LHmq32g
— marla (@marlaabee)
Ted Cruz winning but Kris Kobach losing pic.twitter.com/ojLW1MNalg
— Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono)
Ted Cruz is going to treat himself to TWO live mice tonight
— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck)
But perhaps the biggest news of the night: most have called the House for the Democrats.
Democrats will take control of the House. According to CBS estimates, the Democrats will win at least 220 seats tonight. #Midterms2018 #ElectionNight https://t.co/moYOfg9CCw pic.twitter.com/2kM6XQOG71
— CBS News (@CBSNews)
A number of polls have been released, putting a temperature gauge to the mood of the nation. Brett Kavanaugh being confirmed to the Supreme Court was apparently front and center of many voters’ minds.
IN Senate exit poll – 50 percent say Kavanaugh important in their vote and they broke for GOP Braun 55/37.
— Norah O’Donnell🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell)
And many believe the country is currently on the wrong track.
NEW: 56% say the country is on the ‘wrong track,’ according to preliminary exit poll results https://t.co/g4k6HhamCU #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/AQLSLT4dP8
— ABC News (@ABC)
One stat I found interesting: early numbers seem to suggest a very, very strong voter turnout, which is a good thing regardless of who you voted for.
LATEST UPDATE:
-Early voting points to highest turnout since 1914
-Rep. @NancyPelosi predicts a blue wave
-Voting problems plague precincts across America#tictocnews https://t.co/PBmUT5rgSD— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc)
Also a lot of women have been nominated to the House. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the age of 29.
Breaking: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just made history & became the youngest woman EVER elected to Congress. #ElectionNight
— VOTE BLUE (@metroasheville)
Get it done ladies!
Ayanna Presley has become the first Black congresswoman in Massachusetts.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest person ever in the House of Representatives. #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/mtpNsss4Ds
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph)
Not 1, but TWO Muslim American congresswomen officially WIN tonight.
Congratulations to Rashida Tlaib out of Michigan, and Ilhan Omar out of Minnesota. #HerStory #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/IRRflZvcK7
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun)
Projection: today is the first day in history Americans have elected more than 100 women to the U.S. House of representatives.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict)
There were a number of firsts this time round. Sharice Davids because the first Native American woman elected to Congress and the first openly LGBTQ Congress member from Kansas.
BREAKING: Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) wins!
She is the first Native woman elected to U.S. Congress and the first openly #LGBTQ U.S. Congress member from Kansas.#KS03 #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/Ix8kcZ6FDM
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC)
Jared Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected as a governor of a US state (Colorado).
First openly gay man to be elected Governor of a US State! 🏳️🌈#ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/s3vxkUiIF2
— Mike Gibbs 🏳️🌈 (@Mikeggibbs)
Donald Trump broke a rare eight hour silence on Twitter to call the night a ‘success’.
Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
Some begged to differ…
Weird flex but ok https://t.co/0aOHiXucjJ
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow)
You lost control of a deeply gerrymandered House. https://t.co/91qkdYJscr
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs)
they had five husky blokes holding him down while a staffer tweeted it https://t.co/jZBpdXMgbU
— j.r. hennessy (@jrhennessy)
But regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, we can all celebrate Guy Fieri being rightfully re-elected as Mayor of Flavortown.
BREAKING: Guy Fieri re-elected as Mayor of Flavortown.
— John Popovich 🇭🇷⚽️💙 (@jmpopovich72)
Nothing but respect for my Flavortown President.