Americans are going to the polls on Tuesday in US midterm elections widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's second presidency and a chance for his opponents to check his sweeping power. Control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, currently held by the Republicans, is at stake.
Democrats and Republicans spent the final days before the vote making their closing arguments to the electorate. Each party has sought to present the contest as a choice that will shape the direction of the country for the remainder of Trump's term. Democrats have focused on restraining the presidency, while Republicans have defended the administration's record.
Opponents of the president have argued that a Democratic win in either chamber would give Congress a stronger role in overseeing the White House. Reporting from the closing stretch of the campaign described a Democratic electorate energised by the prospect of a significant shift, with some polls pointing to a strong wave of Democratic votes. Commentary in the final days spoke of a possible blue wave, a term used to describe a sweeping advance of Democratic candidates. Trump's approval ratings have fallen in recent months, and the midterms are being watched closely as a measure of public sentiment toward his agenda.
Trump used his final push to address voters directly, and his remarks drew sharp criticism from Democratic opponents. They described his closing message as pathetic, a charge that reflects the intensity of the partisan divide heading into the count. Trump's closing speech was also noted for dwelling on grass and algae around the reflecting pool, a detail that drew attention from observers covering the final stretch of the campaign.
Historically, midterm elections in the United States often produce losses for the party holding the White House, and the results will determine how much room the president has to pursue his legislative priorities over the next two years. Because the Senate and House are both in play, the outcome could leave Washington with divided government, a configuration that would reshape the balance of power between the branches.
Americans living abroad, including those in London, have also been encouraged to take part. Expatriate voters have been directed to the procedures available to them to cast a ballot from overseas, highlighting the reach of a contest whose consequences extend well beyond US borders.
Results are expected over the coming hours and days, and the composition of the next Congress will become clear as votes are tallied across the country.