In this article
Americans vote on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that will decide control of the US Congress for the last two years of President Donald Trump's term. The result will be felt far beyond the United States.
What is being decided
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and about a third of the 100-seat Senate are up for election, along with many state governors.
Final polls suggest Democrats are favoured to win the House. The Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats and need 50 to keep control, is a toss-up, with several close races. The first polls close at 7pm Eastern Time (midnight GMT) and the last at 1am Eastern; close races may take days to call.
Why it matters for the world
War and peace. The United States is at war with Iran, and talks mediated by Qatar are under way. Trump has said there will be no new US strikes before the election but has not ruled them out afterwards. Congress controls funding and can try to limit military action, and a Democratic House would be likely to hold hearings and push for more oversight.
Ukraine. Support for Ukraine has divided Congress. The balance of power will affect future aid, sanctions on Russia and approvals for arms sales.
Trade. Trump has used tariffs heavily against allies and rivals alike, from Canada to China. Congress has largely deferred to the president, but a change of control could bring more pressure over trade policy that affects exporters from Lagos to Seoul.
Climate and aid. Congress decides budgets for foreign aid, global health programmes and climate finance, all of which affect developing countries. The UN COP31 climate summit opens in Turkey a week after the vote.
What a split Congress would mean
If Democrats win one or both chambers, Trump would face investigations, budget battles and limits on his legislative agenda, although he would retain wide powers over foreign policy and trade through executive action. If Republicans keep both chambers, he would have a freer hand.
Watch for
Turnout has been at record levels in early voting in several states. Beyond the headline result, watch the margins in key Senate races, any disputes over counting, and how markets react: the dollar, oil prices and global stocks could all move on Wednesday morning.
Sources and references
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