This week, special elections in Minnesota, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida will determine the control of five state legislative seats. State legislatures can make laws about everything from reproductive rights — or lack thereof — to net neutrality to health care.

“The work that we do to win back state legislatures truly is foundational,” Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, tells Teen Vogue. “We’ve aggressively invested in special elections — they’re a key part of our strategy, and we’re encouraged by the wins we’ve had.”

Special elections aren’t just conversation topics for political organizers anymore — they’re drawing attention from everyone, including celebrities. “On Monday, February 12th, Karla Bigham and Melissa Wagner are running for State House and State Senate seats in Minnesota,” tweeted Chelsea Handler. “They have a chance to replace two men who were forced to resign after allegations of sexual misconduct. Please retweet and spread the word!”

Read on for the facts on those two races and three more — all happening this week.

Monday, February 12

Minnesota State Senate, District 54

The race: Karla Bigham is running as part of the (DFL) Party, and Emily Mellingen (L) and Denny McNamara (R) will run for the Minnesota Senate after the incumbent, Democrat Dan Schoen, resigned in December following sexual harassment allegations made against him by State Rep. Erin Maye Quade, former Democratic State House candidate Lindsey Port, and others.

Meet the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate: “I have a lot of experience working across the aisle on nonpartisan issues, because it's what's right for our communities,” Bigham, a former member of the Minnesota House, has said. “We need to have that change up at the Capitol. Stop throwing up walls and start working together on issues that are going to be best for Minnesota.”

Meet the Libertarian candidate: “I read the news and my heart sinks a little deeper each time I see a new report of sexual harassment, power grabs, bickering, and self-interest take center stage from the very people that are responsible to protect our wellbeing,” Mellingen, a first-time candidate, says about herself on her website. “If you are like me, you question the voices of the nation and the state that set an example for future generations.”

Meet the Republican candidate: "Our district is hurting and is seeking a senator that puts people before politics and has a proven track record of helping our communities," McNamara, a longtime House lawmaker who retired in 2016, has said. "I look forward to working hard on behalf of our residents, meeting with them at their doors in the coming weeks, and restoring their trust in their state senator."

Minnesota State House, District 23B

The race: Melissa Wagner (DFL) and Jeremy Munson (R) will run for the Minnesota State House after the incumbent, Tony Cornish (R), resigned in November due to sexual harassment allegations made against him by State Representative Erin Maye Quade and lobbyist Sarah Walker.

Meet the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate: “Even though you do have a large district, politics are more personal here,” Wagner, a former social worker who has been making an effort to find common ground with people who have voted Republican in the past, has said. “People are looking at someone who is more committed to the area more so than a D or an R next to their name.”

Meet the Republican candidate: “I'm running because I really want to hold government accountable,” Munson, a longtime local GOP official who was named the 1st Congressional District GOP chair last year, has said. “I've been frustrated with how much government has involved itself with just about every aspect of our lives.”

Tuesday, February 13

Georgia State House, District 175