Campaigning is in its final days before Tuesday's U.S. election, in which voters will cast ballots for candidates for the U.S. Congress, more than half of the nation's state governors and local officials.
Because of voter discontent with the economy and high unemployment, pre-election opinion polls indicate Republicans will gain seats in both houses of Congress and are likely to become the majority in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Republicans are expected to at least weaken the Democratic majority.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who led the Democratic Party to victories in elections two years ago, challenged Congress Saturday to work together to help the jobless, regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's election.
House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner said in the weekly Republican address that now is "not the time to comprise." Boehner, who could be House speaker if Republicans regain a majority, said he favors cutting spending and lowering taxes.
All 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for re-election, as are 37 of the Senate's 100 members. A Republican-majority House and weaker Democratic majority in the Senate may make it more difficult for the president to gain approval for his initiatives.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.