Americans vote today in the midterm elections. The battle will decide who controls Congress and how much room President Donald Trump will have to push his agenda during the final two years of his term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate are up for grabs. Republicans enter the election with control of both chambers, while Democrats need just three more seats for a majority in the House and a net gain of four seats to take the Senate.
Trump is not on the ballot, but the campaign has largely revolved around his presidency. For Democrats, the election is their first national opportunity to challenge the administration since Trump returned to the White House. Republicans, meanwhile, are seeking to maintain control of Congress and avoid a political gridlock in Washington.
The vote is centered on the economy. The prices of food, housing, fuel and everyday expenses have dominated the campaign, while the economic fallout from trade tariffs and the war with Iran has added pressure on the administration. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll puts Trump's job approval rating at 32%, near the lowest level of his presidency. In the overall vote for Congress, 46% of respondents support Democrats and 38% Republicans. Half of independent voters say their vote is against Trump, while 13% see it as a vote for the president.
The cost of living is the top concern. Some 78% of respondents consider it a very or extremely important factor in their decision, while 43% say they trust Democrats more on this issue, compared to 32% who choose Republicans.
The most direct battle is for the House of Representatives, where the difference between the two parties is minimal. But the race for the Senate is just as crucial and more complicated. Democrats need to win several seats in states that Trump won convincingly in the 2024 presidential election. Among the most closely watched races are those in Texas, Kansas, Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan.
Trump has been personally involved in the Republican campaign, with rallies and direct support for the party's candidates. Political groups affiliated with him have spent nearly $277 million in the final weeks of the campaign to support Republicans.
The outcome will also determine the relationship between the White House and Congress. If Republicans retain both chambers, the administration will find it easier to advance legislative initiatives and appointments. If Democrats take at least one chamber, they will gain more power to block laws, launch congressional investigations, and exercise control over the administration.
Beyond the next two years, today's vote is also seen as the first major test of how the American electorate has changed since Trump's return to power and how both parties may reformat for the 2028 presidential race.
The first results will be in after the polls close, but the battle for control of Congress may not be answered immediately. In some states, the counting of mail-in ballots and preferential voting systems could delay the announcement of winners for several days.
