Americans Vote in Midterm Elections That Will Decide Control of Congress

The update

Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday in midterm elections that will decide control of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, both currently held by Republicans. The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump’s second presidency. Trump has headlined dozens of rallies urging supporters to vote as if his name were on the ballot, while Democrats have campaigned to win a congressional check on his power.

Why it matters

The party holding the White House typically loses seats at midterms. Final New York Times and Siena polling put Democratic candidates ahead in five of seven key Senate battlegrounds, including Texas and Kansas, and surveys suggest Democrats are well positioned in the House while the Senate remains harder. The BBC reports voters are most concerned about the cost of living, with food and fuel prices high amid tariffs and the war on Iran. Trump’s approval rating is around 38 percent, though only 29 percent view Democrats positively.

What to watch

Results in the battleground Senate races will show whether Democrats can win one or both chambers, which would shape Trump’s room to pursue his immigration, tariff and Iran policies during his remaining two years in office.

Sources

• theguardian.com — confirms control of Congress is at stake and the final battleground polling
• bbc.co.uk — confirms cost-of-living concerns, Trump’s approval rating and defensive Republican campaigning