American voters go to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that will decide control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. Early voting has been under way for weeks, Reuters reported.
The balance of power
House of Representatives
Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats 214, with two vacancies and one independent who caucuses with Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control.
Senate
Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats 47. Democrats also need a net gain of four. About ten races, including Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia, could decide the majority.
Governors and states
Thirty-nine states elect governors, and nearly every state legislature has seats on the ballot.
The issues
- Prices: the cost of living remains voters’ top concern.
- Fuel: petrol prices have climbed with the war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Immigration: the administration’s enforcement tactics are a dividing line.
Trump’s approval stood at 32% in a September Reuters/Ipsos poll, an all-time low. Early voting suggests stronger Democratic enthusiasm, but analysts caution that a Democratic wave is not assured.
Money and turnout
A record $3.8 billion in political ads had aired by October 12, led by Senate races in Texas, Ohio and Michigan. More than 100 million people are expected to vote if turnout resembles 2022.
Why the world is watching
Control of Congress shapes US war powers, sanctions and foreign aid. Reports have linked possible new US strikes on Iran to the period after the vote, and a Democratic House could launch investigations into the administration. Read our report on the Hormuz standoff and more in World.
Sources are linked throughout this article. AajMirror verifies figures against the original reports; if you spot an error, see our corrections policy.