People across the United States are casting their votes in the midterm elections today. Key seats in both houses of Congress are up for grabs, and the results could have a major impact on the rest of Joe Biden's presidency.
Democrats are bracing for disappointing results and could see their grip on both the House of Representatives and the Senate slip. President Joe Biden said he believed his party would keep the Senate but acknowledged “the House is tougher”.
Republicans are predicting a massive red wave as their opposition struggles to overcome concerns about the economy, crime and the president’s leadership. However, the Democrats are hoping that a backlash against the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade will save them.
Here's everything you need to know about what the midterms are, what is at stake and when the results will be known.
What are the midterm elections?
Midterms occur halfway through a presidential term of office, which lasts four years. So this year, midterms are taking place two years into Joe Biden's presidency.
Congress, which determines laws across the whole of the US, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House decides which laws are voted on, while the Senate votes to block or approve them.
House of Representatives members serve two-year terms representing the people of a single constituency, while each state has two senators. All 435 seats in the lower chamber House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 upper chamber Senate seats will be at stake in the midterms this year. There are also elections for 36 of the 50 state governors.
What's expected to happen and what's at stake?
Democrats currently have a majority in both the House and the Senate, and have done since the start of Mr Biden's presidency. That means that so far, it has been relatively easy for him to pass the laws he wants. However, his majorities are slim, which makes the results of these elections crucial.
Polling suggests the House of Representatives could go to the Republicans, while the Democrats are likely to hold on to the Senate. The Republicans require a net gain of just five seats to win the House majority. But they could win as many as 25 new seats or more, according to some predictions.
Sensing the opportunity, the Republicans have invested millions of dollars in Democratic-leaning districts in California, New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania in the election’s final days.
The fight for the Senate majority is more competitive. If Republicans pick up even one seat, they would control the Senate’s upper chamber. Democrats are fighting to protect vulnerable incumbents in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire, while Republicans believe they’re within striking distance in Colorado and Washington state.
For Mr Biden, the results could have a big impact on the rest of his presidency. Republican control of even one chamber of Congress would leave him vulnerable to investigations into his family and administration while defending his policies. If Republicans have an especially strong election, winning Democratic congressional seats in places like New Hampshire or Washington state, pressure could build for Mr Biden to opt against re-election in 2024.
When will we know the results?
As Americans wake up the morning after polls close, it's unlikely they'll know much about who's come out on top. Because of close contests and extended vote counting, it could take days or weeks before the final outcome is known in several key races.
In Georgia, a candidate must earn at least 50 per cent of the vote to win outright. Otherwise, the election goes to a runoff on December 6. Strategists on both sides believe the state’s Senate race, in particular, may do just that.
In other states, the process of counting votes can be long and complicated, especially as postal voting becomes more popular. Under Arizona law, for example, all ballots must be returned by 7pm on Election Day, but officials have 20 days to finalise their counts.
While the picture may become clearer as more races are announced, it will take a while before we see the full results and who's in power.
What do the midterms mean for Donald Trump?
The contests will be a test of strength for former president Mr Trump, who remains a dominant force in the Republican Party and has teased a second go at the presidency.
Dozens of Trump-endorsed candidates are on the ballot in this year's midterms, including several controversial choices who beat alternatives backed by the party’s establishment.
A bad night for Democrats could undermine Mr Biden’s rationale for a second term - and Mr Trump would almost certainly seize on sweeping Republican victories as evidence of his political strength ahead of a third prospective White House bid. Should Mr Trump’s higher-profile endorsees struggle, it would raise questions about his political strength.
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