The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 46: The Midterm Elections – Why Every Two Years Matters

• Jose Francisco Avila • Episode 46

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While the Presidential election gets the "big stage" every four years, the real engine of community change runs on a two-year cycle. In this essential explainer episode of The Garifuna Experience, host José Francisco Ávila breaks down the mechanics of the Midterm Elections and why they are the ultimate tool for Garifuna political accountability.

Many of us are busy with work and family, asking: "Does my one vote even count in an 'off-year'?" The answer is a resounding yes. Because turnout is typically lower in Midterms, the organized Garifuna vote in the Bronx becomes a massive "power multiplier" that can shift the direction of the entire state.

In this episode, we break down:

  • The Ballot Blueprint: From all 435 U.S. House seats to the critical state legislators in our Districts.
  • Checks and Balances: How Midterms act as a steering wheel to balance the power of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
  • The "Everyday" Impact: Why Midterm results decide the funding for SNAP benefits, school budgets, childcare, and transit—the issues that hit our kitchen tables every single day.
  • Your Action Roadmap: Practical steps to take before, during, and after the election to move 
  • Board of Elections in the City of New York
  • New York State Board of Elections

The Midterms aren't a distraction—they are the decision. Join us as we demystify the process and prepare the Garifuna diaspora to be the "tiebreaker" in the 2026 cycle.

Resources:

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride:: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Soundtrack

I. Intro: The Rhythm of the Two-Year Cycle (0:00 – 2:00)

Host: Mabrika! Welcome back to The Garifuna Experience Podcast. I’m your host, José Francisco Ávila. Last week, in Episode 45, we talked about the Power of Place. Today, we’re talking about the The Midterm Elections and why they matter.

We often hear about the "Big One"—the Presidential election every four years. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it gets all the headlines. 

But today, we’re talking about the engine that actually drives the state: The Midterm Elections. Midterms happen every two years, exactly halfway through a president’s term. 

They occur in November of even-numbered years, like the 2026 cycle we are currently navigating. If the Presidential election is the destination, the Midterms are the steering wheel. Today, we break down why this "off-year" rhythm is actually the most powerful tool in your community toolkit.

II. What is Actually on the Ballot?  

Host: When you walk into that booth in a Midterm year, you aren't voting for a President, but you are voting for the people who decide if a President can actually get anything done.

On your ballot, you will find:

  • All 435 U.S. House seats: These are our direct representatives in Washington. (In the Bronx, they are Rep. Adriano Espaillat (CD-13), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (CD-14), Rep. Ritchie Torres (CD-15) and Rep. George Latimer (CD-16).
  • About one-third of the U.S. Senate: The powerful body that confirms judges and signs off on treaties. (Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrant) 
  • Governors and statewide offices: The people who run New York State.( Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller)
  • State Legislators: Our Assemblymembers and State Senators.

Why does this shift power? Midterms allow us to signal approval or frustration. Often, the party opposite to the President gains seats. This is by design. Our government was built on Checks and Balances. No single branch—Executive, Legislative, or Judicial—is supposed to hold all the cards. Your Midterm vote is how you balance the scale.

III. The "Everyday" Impact: Beyond the Headlines  

Host: Let’s get real. Why should a Garifuna family in the Bronx care about a Midterm? Because the people elected in these years decide the "Everyday Issues."

Midterm decisions influence:

  • Food Security: Programs like SNAP (formerly food stamps).
  • Your Wallet: Wages, job programs, and childcare funding.
  • Your Neighborhood: School funding, public transportation, and housing policies.

In Midterm years, turnout is typically lower than in Presidential years. That sounds like a negative, but for us, it’s an opportunity. When fewer people show up, small margins can shift massive amounts of power.In our Bronx districts, a few hundred Garifuna votes aren't just a "contribution"—they are the deciding factor.

New York State

In New York stae, The filing deadline was April 2nd. Candidates have turned in their petition forms with thousands of signatures to the Board of Elections, to get on the ballot for the June 23 Primary elections.

But just because a name was turned in doesn't mean it will show up on your ballot on June 23rd. Right now, we are in the "Signature Challenge" period—a high-stakes game of political chess that most people never see.

II. What is a "Signature Challenge"?  

Host: To get on the ballot, you need a certain number of valid signatures from registered Democrats in your district. 

But here’s the catch: the "Political machine" and opposing campaigns spend this week hiring lawyers to look at every single name.

  • They check if the person is actually a registered Democrat.
  • They check if they live in the district.
  • They even check if the handwriting matches the voter rolls.

Why this matters to us: This process is often used to knock out grassroots candidates who don't have high-priced lawyers. 

If a candidate you like gets "knocked off the ballot," it’s often because of these technicalities. It’s a way of filtering the choice before you even get to the polling site.

What Happens Next? (The "Signature Game")

  • April 3 – April 9: Opposing campaigns and legal teams will spend this week reviewing the filed petitions. They are looking for any technical errors—such as signers living outside the district or not being registered Democrats—to try and disqualify their opponent.
  • April 21: This is the date the Board of Elections is expected to release the Final Certified List once all legal challenges to the signatures have been settled.

IV. Your Accountability Roadmap  

Host: So, what can you do? Accountability isn't a one-day event; it’s a lifestyle.

Before the Election:

  • Check your status: Go to New York State Board of Election. Make sure you are registered at your current address.
  • Know the deadlines: June 13: The deadline to register to  vote.
  • June 23: Primary Election Day.
  • Your Homework: Check your voter registration. Share this episode with friends and family. Let’s mobilize the "Invisible Giant" of the Garifuna diaspora in New York City into a recognized political force...

During the Election:

  • Don't go alone: Help an elder get to the polls. Offer a ride. Be a translator.
  • Vote Early: Use the early voting period.

After the Election:

  • Stay in their ear: The job isn't over when the polls close. Attend local meetings. Follow how your officials vote on the issues we care about. If they voted for $30 million in LUCHA funding, we need to know where it went. If they didn't, we need to know why

V. Outro  

(Music: Punta percussion swells)

Host: Our consistent participation shapes the future. Not just every four years, but every single year. The Midterms are your chance to tell the government exactly what the Garifuna community expects.

You are the check. You are the balance.

HOST: And that wraps up another illuminating episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast.

 Thank you for listening. Remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands.

Until next time, stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban. Ayo!

HOST: Find new episodes of The Garifuna Experience Podcast every Tuesday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your favorite shows.

Please rate and review The Garifuna Experience Podcast —it helps our history reach the world  

Soundtrack

Head Shot

José Francisco Ávila

Host