The Midterm-Election Issues To Know NOW

Between the holidays, New Year's resolutions, and a stretch of record-low temps, even those who soak up political news like a sponge may have had different priorities lately. But, with dozens of key Congressional seats up for grabs in November, it’s time to start brushing up on the issues. (In case you need a little primer-before-the-primer: Midterm elections happen in the middle of a presidential term. They can lead to major upheavals in the Senate and the House. In 2014, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested, along with dozens of governorships and state-legislature seats.)

What does that all mean, you ask? Well, the midterm elections are the kickoff for the 2016 presidential race, and with hot-button issues like minimum wage, healthcare, and reproductive rights on the table, you'll want to be paying attention. We’re here to help you get up to speed. From Obamacare to Bridgegate, we’ve got a political primer that will have you ready for the polls in no time.