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Voters across the United States have already begun casting ballots in the midterm elections that are being closely watched as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress.
What are the midterms?
In the United States, national elections take place every two years, with the office of the president on the ballot every four years.
The election that takes place halfway through a president’s term is commonly called the midterm election.
The official election day for this year’s midterms is November 3, but most states allow in-person or mail-in voting ahead of that date.
What seats are on the ballot?
All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, along with 35 of the U.S. Senate’s 100 seats.
House members serve two-year terms, while senators have six-year terms.
Outside of the battle for Congress, 36 of the country’s 50 states have an election for governor.
Who controls Congress now?
Going into the election, Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority. Among the most closely watched races are for Senate seats in the states of Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.
Republicans also hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives, with Democrats trying to win a net gain of four seats to take control.
Since 1992, all but one U.S. president has seen his party lose enough seats to relinquish its House majority during the midterm election of his first term.
Why does it matter which party will control Congress?
Whichever party controls Congress will determine the balance of power in Washington and have effects on the legislative agenda, as well as control of congressional committees.
A Republican majority in both houses of Congress would give President Donald Trump an easier path to enact his desired agenda for the remainder of his term.
If Democrats take back a majority in either or both chambers, they can have a greater say in the nation’s laws, which judges get appointed to lifetime federal positions, and whether to give required approval to any potential new members of the president’s administration.
When do the elected lawmakers take office?
Lawmakers elected in November will be sworn in on January 3, 2027.