I've always said that if Republicans win over 50% of the popular vote, then it's fair enough that they win. That's what democracy means, after all.

What we saw in this election is Republicans running up the score in states like Texas and Florida, but losing a lot of close contests in battleground states. This is a counter-point to the "gerrymandering" argument that Democrats have made a lot recently. Yes, Republicans re-drew some House districts to their advantage - but also, a lot of Republican votes went "wasted" in deep-red districts.

Overall, it looks like the effect balanced out this time. Republicans won about 51% percent of the House votes and will win about 51% of House seats.

Regardless, we can't be assured results will always reflect the will of the voters going forward. We need comprehensive pro-democracy election reform, not perpetual tight elections where control turns on quirks of geography.

Once *everyone* has an equal say, regardless of where they live, then voter turnout and engagement will increase nationwide, and we can be sure we're running elections that accurately reflect the popular will.

In addition to the "theft-by-gerrymandering" Democratic myth I discussed above, these results debunk at least two other popular narratives about this election that are already, or on their way to becoming, myths:

1. The "voter fraud" myth on the Right. There's simply no widespread voter fraud: not now, not ever, not anywhere, and certainly not everywhere. If there were, then Republicans wouldn't have won as many races as they did. If Nancy Pelosi were some kind of deep state mastermind, then surely she would have somehow engineered her way into remaining Speaker. So, stop it. Get some help. Put down the snake-oil being peddled by sore losers.

2. The myth of a Republican "meltdown." No, the GOP isn't "melting down." While the 2022 midterms didn't match sky-high expectations for a "red wave" this cycle, the GOP coalition remains highly competitive. Democrats continue to have deep problems in connecting with a broad slice of the country, and aren't on their way to becoming a permanent majority. There's still room for "candidate quality" to make a difference, and Republicans could run much better ones in many of these races next time.

There are still deep divisions in our country that won't be healed, and giant problems that won't be solved, any time soon. But, in spite of everything, somehow, our democracy works. That's something we can all cheer.