The White House. The Senate. The House of Representatives. And now the Supreme Court. Republicans hold the majority in all branches of government, in what could be considered a red wave. Yet with Senate Midterm elections in only a week, a blue wave of Democrats could be on its way.

The beginnings of this recent Red Wave stretches back to when the House of Representatives switched from Democratic control to Republican in 2011. Just a few years later, the 2014 midterm elections resulted in a Republican-dominated Senate. And in 2016, the White House continued its decades long pattern of switching between Democrat and Republican control, as Republican Donald Trump took office. With two out of three government branches controlled by this Red Wave, all that was left was the Supreme Court.

Prior to this year, the Supreme Court was split directly down the middle with four liberal justices, four conservative justices, and a swing vote justice, Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy was often the deciding vote in many cases, leaning either on the liberal or conservative side. Yet at the end of June this year, Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court, sparking an uproar in politics.

With President Donald Trump responsible for picking Supreme Court nominees, it was almost certain that his choice would be conservative. And that it was, as he nominated Brett Kavanaugh, a D.C. Circuit judge, in July. This was far from a smooth nomination, with Deborah Ramirez, Julie Swetnick, and Dr. Christina Blasey Ford coming forward and accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Kavanaugh eventually was appointed to the Supreme Court, but it came with Democrats and Republicans at each other’s throats, fighting for power. With this grand finale, the red wave had reached the legislative, executive, and now judicial branches.

Fed up with issues, such as the possibility of overturning Roe v Wade and immigration policies, Democrats are rising against the tides and preparing to take back the Senate. With 26 Democrat seats up for bid, and only 9 Republican, this election is surely a nail-biter. Democrats need to gain, in addition to these 26 seats up for grabs, an additional two seats in order to take control of the Senate. Though projections only show a 1 in 5 chance of Democrats taking control, enthusiasm and pride is roaring throughout the country.

Notable Democrats Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, and Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, are expected to keep their seats, among others. Meanwhile, Democrat Beto O’Rourke is competing to take the senate position in Texas, currently held by Republican senator Ted Cruz. O’Rourke is not alone, as other Democrats in traditionally Republican states are stepping up and competing for Senate seats. The blue wave doesn’t stop here- thousands of funds have been secured in place for a Democrat to run against Republican Susan Collins, of Maine, in the next election after she voted in favor of nominating Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Midterm Elections are crucial to our everyday lives. Whether you are Democrat or Republican, your voice matters. If you are at least 18 years of age, and have already registered, please vote on November 6th. After all, the future lies in our hands.