NEW YORK: Polling has begun in the United States midterm elections, with voting opening at 5:00 a.m. local time in Vermont and at 6:00 a.m. in New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.
Voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators. Gubernatorial elections are also being held in 36 states. Republicans are facing a challenge in retaining their majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Democrats need a net gain of at least four seats in each chamber to take control of the House and Senate. The election results are expected to influence legislative priorities and the policies pursued during the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s term.
According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, Democrats hold an eight-point lead over Republicans in the congressional ballot. Around 46 percent of registered voters expressed support for Democrats, compared with 38 percent for Republicans.
The survey also put President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 32 percent, close to its lowest recorded level of 31 percent. The poll included responses from 1,765 Americans and had a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.
Analysts say national polls provide an indication of broader public sentiment, but the actual outcome will depend on contests across individual states and congressional districts. Therefore, the Democrats’ lead in the survey does not guarantee an electoral victory.