Polls open in US midterm elections that will decide control of Congress

Summary

Polls opened across the United States on 3 November for the midterm elections, which will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress or whether Democrats gain enough seats to stymie Donald Trump's agenda, and which will also serve as a judgment on his second term. According to The Guardian, voting began in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia, the first polls were set to close in Kentucky and Indiana, and record turnout was reported in key states including Florida, Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina. Voters are choosing all 435 House seats, where Republicans defend a narrow majority and Democrats need a net gain of four seats; 35 Senate seats, where Republicans hold 53 to 47 and Democrats need four gains; and 39 governorships, along with thousands of state legislative seats, local offices, judicial contests and ballot measures. The Guardian identifies the economy, Iran, immigration, and AI and datacenters as key voter issues. Deutsche Welle reports that the results will be decisive for the future of the United States.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   2 Nov 2026, 17:37 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian's explainer says the midterms will decide whether Republicans retain control of Congress, with all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 39 governorships at stake, and describes them as a potential referendum on the sitting president.

2. Deutsche Welle

   3 Nov 2026, 08:05 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that US voters are electing a new Congress, that the results will be decisive for the future of the United States, and that they will serve as a judgment on Donald Trump's second term as president.

3. The Guardian

   3 Nov 2026, 22:31 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian's live coverage reports that polls opened across the US on 3 November, with the first polls closing in Kentucky and Indiana, and identifies the economy, Iran, immigration, and AI and datacenters as key voter issues.