Washington: Americans are voting in crucial midterm elections on Tuesday that will determine control of the US Congress and shape the remaining two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The elections are taking place amid growing concerns over the cost of living, economic uncertainty and political divisions across the country.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested. Republicans currently control both chambers, but Democrats are seeking to gain enough seats to take control and increase their influence over the president's policies.
The elections are widely seen as an important test of public confidence in Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025. Although the president is not on the ballot, his economic policies, handling of international conflicts and approach to government have become central issues in congressional campaigns.
A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on November 2 showed Trump's approval rating at 32 percent. On the generic congressional ballot, 46 percent of respondents preferred Democrats, compared with 38 percent who preferred Republicans.
The rising cost of living has emerged as a major concern among voters. According to the poll, 78 percent of respondents considered increasing household expenses a very important or the most important factor in deciding their vote.
Higher food and fuel prices, along with concerns about employment and economic stability, have featured prominently in campaigns across several states. The war involving Iran, which began in February 2026, has also become an important campaign issue, particularly amid rising fuel prices and concerns about its wider economic impact.
Trump and Republican candidates have defended the administration's policies while criticising Democratic proposals. Democrats have focused their campaigns on affordability, government accountability and the economic pressures facing American families.
The contest for control of the House of Representatives is particularly important because a change in its leadership could affect the administration's ability to pass legislation and carry out its political agenda.
If Democrats gain control of the House, they would be able to lead congressional investigations, strengthen oversight of federal agencies and challenge government policies. Republican control would allow the party to continue advancing its legislative priorities, although individual proposals would still require sufficient support in Congress.
The Senate contest is also attracting considerable attention. Republicans entered the elections with 53 seats, while Democrats held 45 seats and two independent senators aligned with them. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a majority.
Several Senate contests have become important parts of the national political debate.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is competing against Republican Mike Rogers. The race attracted additional attention after Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers following her defeat in the Democratic primary to El-Sayed.
In Alaska, former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola is challenging Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The race has also been affected by allegations that Peltola's campaign helped recruit a third candidate with the same first and last name as Sullivan. Peltola has denied involvement.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is competing against Republican Ken Paxton in a state that has traditionally supported Republican candidates in statewide elections.
Other closely watched Senate contests include Kansas, where Democrat Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican Senator Roger Marshall, and Maine, where Republican Senator Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democrat Troy Jackson.
Alongside the congressional contests, Americans are voting in elections for governors, state legislatures and several important state ballot measures.
Historically, the party holding the White House has lost ground in Congress in all but two midterm elections since the Second World War. However, this trend does not determine the outcome of the current elections.
The elections are also taking place amid legal disputes over voting procedures and election administration.
On November 2, the US Supreme Court rejected an emergency request from the Trump administration seeking to have mail ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters in California set aside while their citizenship status was checked. Federal authorities had questioned the eligibility of these voters, but the allegations did not establish that they were noncitizens or had voted illegally.
California officials opposed the request, arguing that errors in the federal government's information could affect eligible voters. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, allowing the existing voting arrangements to continue.
The dispute highlighted continuing disagreements between federal and state authorities over election procedures and voter eligibility.
In Alaska, a separate Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification of the Senate election results was dismissed by a judge.
Election officials across the United States have been preparing for heavy voter participation. More than 57 million Americans had already cast their ballots before Election Day, according to figures reported on November 2.
Early voting has become an increasingly important part of American elections, allowing people to vote before the official polling date through in person voting or postal ballots, depending on state rules.
Authorities have also been monitoring possible disruptions caused by severe weather in parts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Postal delays have raised separate concerns in states including California, Oregon and Washington, where late arriving ballots could face difficulties meeting voting deadlines.
The final results of some closely contested races may not be known immediately. Ballot counting procedures vary between states, and close contests could require additional counting or legal review before the results are certified.
The outcome will have important consequences for the balance of power in Washington. A divided Congress could make it more difficult for Trump to secure approval for parts of his legislative programme, while continued Republican control would preserve the party's leadership of both chambers.
If Democrats gain control of the Senate as well as the House, they could also exercise greater influence over presidential appointments, including federal judicial appointments. However, Trump would remain president and retain his constitutional executive powers.
For American voters, the elections provide an opportunity to express their views on the direction of the country, the performance of the administration and the economic challenges affecting their daily lives.
As voting continues across the United States, attention is focused on whether Republicans will retain their congressional majorities or Democrats will gain control of one or both chambers, potentially changing the political direction of Washington for the next two years.