Democrats take control of Congress in US midterm 'blue wave'

Summary

Democrats have taken control of Congress in a sweeping blue wave in the US midterm elections, according to The Guardian's live reporting, which answered reader questions on the results. Reporters said the results give the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), under which states would award their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, a serious chance of taking effect. The compact would take effect only if states with at least 270 electoral votes join, and about 222 electoral votes have already agreed. Democrats won trifectas on Tuesday in states with 61 electoral votes, but the reporting noted that the new Democratic majorities are in presidential battlegrounds (Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Michigan) that may not want to give up the attention and federal resources that come with presidential election years. Enough states would have to join by 20 July 2028 for the pact to apply to the next presidential election, and legal challenges are likely, with the US Supreme Court expected to have the final say on its constitutionality. Reporters also said exit polling showed young people had moved strongly in the results, though that part of the reporting was cut off.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   6 Nov 2026, 19:59 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Democrats have taken control of Congress in a sweeping blue wave and that the midterm results give the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact a serious chance of taking effect, though it would need states with at least 270 electoral votes to join by 20 July 2028.