Americans cast votes in crucial midterm elections

Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections that will determine the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. Voters will decide the fate of all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats. With nearly 58 million citizens having already cast early ballots—a record for midterms—Democrats are favored to regain control of the House, while the battle for the Senate remains highly contested across states like Texas, Ohio, and Kansas.

The election serves as a referendum on Trump’s presidency, which has been marked by military involvement in Iran, rising fuel prices, and stagnant cost-of-living improvements. Despite history generally favoring the opposition party during midterms, Trump has aggressively campaigned, urging his base to treat his name as if it were on the ballot to prevent a Democratic takeover. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently dismissed a Justice Department attempt to block vote counts from non-US citizens in California, and tensions remain high in Michigan where Abdul El-Sayed campaigns to become the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Analysts note that Democrats hope for a "blue wave" to check the president's power. Should Republicans lose control of either chamber of Congress, Trump's legislative agenda for the remainder of his term faces significant obstruction, especially as his approval ratings currently sit near all-time lows.