Voters in the United States went to the polls for the midterm elections, which are set to determine the fate of Donald Trump's presidency for the next two years. This election includes all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats. Many states will also elect their local representatives.
Voting Begins and High Participation
The first polling stations opened at 5 AM local time in Vermont and voting will start at 6 AM in other states such as Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. By Monday, over 57 million early votes had been registered in 47 states and Washington D.C., and more in-person votes are expected on Tuesday.
Read more: Live coverage of the U.S. election night by The Hill
Political Competitions and Challenges
Democratic candidates in key Republican areas like Texas, Iowa, Ohio, and Kansas have tried to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising prices. In contrast, Republicans have portrayed their opponents as radical leftists and promoted Donald Trump's policies on immigration and tax cuts as benefits for Americans.
The Trump administration, on the eve of these elections, conducted attacks on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, which officials said included targeting Iranian surface-to-air missiles against American assets. These attacks occurred while Trump sought to maintain control of Congress in the midterm elections.
In his last public speech at the National Center, Trump lowered expectations for his party's performance, stating that for various reasons, incumbent presidents usually do not win midterm elections. He also referenced criticisms of Democratic candidates, saying they have introduced the "most extreme and dangerous" candidates in American history.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Democrats tried to maintain a united front, while in Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico criticized rising food prices due to Trump's tariffs, and Republican Ken Paxton attacked him.
The results of this election are crucial for Trump's political future and the Republican Party, and may lead to a reduction in his power over the next two years.
Read more: The results of the U.S. midterm elections will impact Europe · Democrats focus on energy policies in the midterm elections
