As Americans head to the polls for the final day of midterm voting, candidates are making their last appeals in high-stakes House and Senate races that will determine the balance of power in Congress. The outcome could curb the executive influence of President Donald Trump and carry significant implications for domestic and foreign policy, particularly amid concerns about an unpopular war with Iran, climbing inflation, and record high fuel prices.
Key Senate Races
Thirty-five Senate seats are up for election, with several competitive races in battleground and traditionally Republican states poised to decide which party controls the upper chamber. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats have 45, plus two independents who caucus with them, for a total of 47. Democrats need to win four additional seats to shift the balance, while Republicans can afford to lose up to three seats and retain the majority with the Vice President's tie-breaking vote. Trump has been actively campaigning for Republican candidates in states like Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina, as well as in more reliably Republican states such as Texas, Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi.
In Michigan, a competitive race features former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers against progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. The contest has highlighted divisions over U.S. support for Israel. In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in a race where Paxton has focused on culture war issues while Talarico emphasizes the economy and Paxton's scandals. Alaska's incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan is in a surprisingly close race against Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and an independent candidate with the same last name, in a ranked-choice voting state. Maine's moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins is defending her seat against former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson. In Ohio, incumbent Republican John Husted is competing against former Sen. Sherrod Brown. Kansas sees incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall facing Democrat Adam Hamilton. Close races are also anticipated in more reliably Republican states like South Carolina, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
Key House Races
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the ballot. Fourteen races rated as Tossup by ABC News are expected to be crucial in determining the chamber's balance of power. Key races are in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, with others in newly redrawn districts in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Virginia. Democrats need to gain at least three seats to shift the balance. Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 220 seats to Democrats' 215. Democrats are aiming to elect at least 100 women to the House, which would set a new record.
Key Gubernatorial Races
Several female gubernatorial nominees could make history. Twenty-six women are major-party nominees, including 19 Democrats and seven Republicans. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa could become the first Latina governor. In New Mexico, former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland could be the first Native American woman to serve as governor. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms might become the state's first woman governor and the first Black woman to govern any state. In Ohio, Democratic nominee Amy Acton faces Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.
Former President Barack Obama has urged voters to channel their frustration by voting, stating, "They can't hear your boos. They hear your vote." President Trump has pledged a "Trump Dividend" of $5,000 cash payment to adult Americans if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate, a proposal he defends as being funded by economic growth.
