A Simple Guide to the US Midterms
By James FitzGerald
Published 54 minutes ago
There are four weeks to go until the US midterm elections, when voters will participate in a ballot that could significantly impact the rest of Donald Trump's presidency.
What are the Midterms?
On 3 November, Americans will elect members of Congress, which is composed of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Elections occur every two years, and when they happen in the middle of the president's four-year term, they are known as the midterms.
A key task of Congress is to create and pass federal laws. The outcome of the midterms will determine which political party - Trump's Republicans or the opposition Democrats - controls Congress and how easily the president can implement his plans. The results are also seen as a measure of public satisfaction with the president's performance.
Who is Being Elected?
All 435 members of the House of Representatives - the lower chamber of Congress - will be elected. They serve two-year fixed terms. The House is where proposed laws are introduced and debated.
Meanwhile, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate, the upper chamber, will also be contested. Senators serve six-year terms. They are responsible for approving or blocking proposed laws that originate from the House.
On the same day, voters across much of the US will also choose state-level politicians, including governors in California, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan, whose contests will be closely watched.
What are the Key Issues?
Many voters are concerned about the US economy, including the rising costs of fuel, groceries, housing, and healthcare. Inflation remains above the target level set by the US Federal Reserve, partly due to the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran that began in February.
Democrats argue that Trump's trade tariffs have also contributed to price increases.
Immigration is another significant issue. Republicans claim that Trump has fulfilled a key campaign promise by strengthening border security and launching a controversial crackdown on illegal immigration.
Concerns over Artificial Intelligence (AI) have gained urgency in recent weeks. Senior politicians from both parties have acknowledged the need to regulate it, opposing Trump's rejection of such laws.
What is at Stake?
Congress is one of the three branches of government, along with the presidency and the judiciary. Controlling Congress matters for shaping legislation.
Currently, both the House and Senate are held by Republicans, but their majority is narrow. They have 218 seats in the House (the minimum required to control it) plus one independent who votes with them. In the Senate, they have 53 seats, and the minimum for control is 51.
If Democrats regain control of at least one chamber, they will have the power to introduce and pass their own laws.
Who Might Win?
Historically, voters have tended to "punish" the party of the president during midterm elections, often resulting in a shift in power. Recent polling shows a low approval rating for Trump, with his rating sitting at approximately 37% approval and 61% disapproval in early October. However, not all seats in each chamber are competitive, with some considered safe bets for either Republicans or Democrats.