What are the US midterms? A simple guide - BBC News
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What are the midterms?
On 3 November, Americans will choose members of Congress, which is made up of two parts - the House of Representatives and the Senate. Elections take place every two years, and when they happen in the middle of a president's term, they are called the midterms.
A key task of Congress is to create and pass federal laws. The outcome of the midterms will decide which political party - Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats - controls Congress and how easy it is for the president to carry out his plans.
The results are also seen as a measure of how happy people in the US are with the president's performance so far.
Who is being elected?
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All 435 members of the House - the lower chamber of Congress - will be elected. They serve fixed terms of two years.
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35 of 100 seats in the Senate, the upper chamber, will also be up for grabs. Senators serve six-year terms.
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On the same day, voters will also choose state-level politicians.
What are the key issues?
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The US economy is a top concern for many voters facing rising costs of fuel, groceries, housing and healthcare.
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Inflation remains high, partly due to the US-Israel war with Iran.
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Immigration is another key issue, with Republicans highlighting border security and enforcement.
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Concerns over AI have gained urgency, with both parties agreeing on the need for regulation, contrasting with Trump's rejection of such controls.
What is at stake?
Congress is one of the three branches of government, alongside the presidency and the judiciary. Control of it matters for the shaping of legislation.
Currently, both the House and Senate are held by Republicans, but their majority is slim. They have 218 House seats and 53 Senate seats. Democrats need to win at least 51 Senate seats to gain control.
Who might win?
Historically, voters tend to "punish" the president's party during midterm elections. Recent polls show a low approval rating for President Trump, indicating a potential Democratic gain.