Ava DuVernay predicts political reaction regardless of midterm outcome

Ava DuVernay believes the U.S. government will respond aggressively to the November 3 midterm elections, regardless of which party takes power. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker made the prediction at the Airbnb.org Gala last week, where she discussed the current political climate with reporters.

“I think either way we’re in trouble,” DuVernay said. “If the Democrats pull it out, I think you’re going to see an outsized reaction from the administration and I think if they don’t, you’re going to see an outsized reaction from the administration.” Her comments come as polls show a tight race for control of Congress.

According to RealClearPolling, Democrats currently hold an 8.2 percentage point lead over Republicans in national congressional ballot averages. The specific figures show support at 51.4 percent for Democrats and 43.2 percent for Republicans. Political analysts widely expect the Democratic Party to regain the House of Representatives. The fight for the Senate remains uncertain, with races too close to predict a definitive winner.

Voting has already begun in earnest. The Associated Press reported on October 30 that more than 43 million Americans have cast early in-person votes or returned mail ballots. With two days remaining until Election Day, participation levels are high across the nation.

DuVernay’s remarks align with the themes of her latest documentary, “14th.” The film examines the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law. “Folks need to really understand what it means to be a citizen, what it means to fight and to really know your rights,” she stated.

When asked about her next project, the director noted that there is no lack of material to explore. “There’s so much going on,” DuVernay said. “There’s no lack of material or things to look at or advocate for, so we all need to keep our eye on the ball and keep pushing forward.”