Voters across the United States go to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that will decide which party controls Congress for the last two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and 36 governorships are on the ballot.
The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Trump. According to the Associated Press, more than 57 million Americans had already voted early by Monday, and early turnout in many closely watched states was ahead of the last midterms four years ago.
What is at stake in the House and Senate
Republicans currently control both chambers. The AP reports that Democrats need a net gain of only three seats to win the House, where the Republican majority is razor-thin. In the Senate, which Republicans hold 53-47, Democrats need a net gain of four seats, a harder task because many competitive races are in states that usually vote Republican.
If Democrats win the House, their leader Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black Speaker in US history. The AP says he has set out a 100-day agenda and has not ruled out impeachment proceedings against the president.
Fox News rates the battle for the Senate as a toss-up. Republicans need to hold 50 seats to keep control, because Vice President JD Vance would break any tie.
The races to watch
Several Senate contests could decide the balance of power. In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico for the seat being left by John Cornyn. In Ohio, former senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican Jon Husted. Georgia’s Democratic senator Jon Ossoff is defending his seat against Republican Mike Collins.
Other closely watched Senate races include North Carolina, where Democrat Roy Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley for an open seat, as well as Michigan, Maine, Iowa and Alaska. Governor’s races in Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada and Michigan are also expected to be close, according to Fox News.
Prices, Iran war and Trump’s ratings
The AP says many voters are frustrated by high prices and an unpopular war with Iran, which has pushed up fuel costs. Polling cited by the agency shows about 35% of American adults approve of Trump’s job performance, and about seven in ten say the country is on the wrong track.
Trump has campaigned hard for his party. At a rally in Kansas he told supporters, “I really want you to pretend I’m on the ballot.” Historically, the president’s party usually loses House seats in midterm elections.
Republicans had hoped mid-decade redistricting in several states would protect their House majority, but the AP reports that some newly drawn districts may not vote as expected. The 2026 cycle is also expected to be the most expensive in US history.
Ballot measures beyond Congress
Voters will also decide about 145 statewide ballot measures, according to Fox News. They include voter ID rules in several states, abortion measures in Missouri, Idaho, Virginia and Nevada, and a proposed one-time tax on billionaires in California.
Why it matters for Nigeria and Africa
The outcome will shape US policy on trade, aid, immigration and security, all of which affect Nigeria and the wider continent. A Democratic House would gain powers to investigate the administration and block legislation, while continued Republican control would give Trump a freer hand on issues such as visas, deportations and foreign assistance. Nigerian-Americans, one of the largest African immigrant communities in the US, are among those voting.
What happens next
Polls begin closing at 6pm Eastern Time (midnight in Nigeria) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, with the last polls in Alaska closing at 1am Eastern on Wednesday. Early results should give an indication of the House by Wednesday morning Nigerian time, but close races, especially in the Senate, may take days to call.
Sources: Associated Press, Fox News.
