US midterms put control of Congress at stake

Americans are voting in the 2026 midterm elections on November 3, with control of both chambers of Congress at stake and the results set to shape President Donald Trump’s legislative position for the final two years of his term. The election does not determine whether Trump remains president. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested. Democrats need a net gain of three seats to win a majority. In the Senate, 35 seats are on the ballot, and Democrats need a net gain of four to take control. Republicans enter Election Day with narrow majorities in both chambers. The House contests will determine representation in the next Congress, while the Senate races involve six-year terms. Republicans currently hold 218 House seats, with one independent who generally supports Speaker Mike Johnson, compared with 214 Democrats; two seats are vacant. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats, while Democrats and two independents who caucus with them have 47. More than 57 million ballots had been cast by Monday, according to estimates reported by election trackers and news organizations. One tally covered 47 states and Washington, DC, and compared with just under 44.5...