American voters face a choice over control of Congress on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that will shape the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. Reuters reports that polls and nonpartisan analysts favor Democrats in the House, while the Senate remains uncertain. Those assessments are forecasts, not election results.
The U.S. Postal Service's election calendar lists all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats on the ballot, alongside 36 governorships. USAGov explains that House members serve two years and senators six, with Senate terms staggered. The congressional vote determines which party holds a majority in each chamber for the next two years.
Reuters identifies frustration over the Iran war and rising fuel prices as pressures on Republicans. AP reports that more than 57 million people had voted by Monday. Democrats are seeking gains while Republicans defend their congressional majorities; Trump has urged supporters to approach the election as if he were on the ballot himself.
According to AP, Democrats need 51 Senate seats for control, while Republicans can retain it with 50 because Vice President JD Vance can break a tie. A Democratic congressional victory could constrain Trump's legislative agenda. Reuters notes, however, that the president would retain veto power and broad executive authority even if Democrats won both chambers.
The result may take time to establish. AP says it called Senate control four days after the 2022 midterms and House control eight days after voting. Counting mail ballots and resolving close contests can extend the process. Attention now turns to the completion of voting and the count, with control of either chamber still to be determined.
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