Millions of Americans are voting on the future composition of Congress. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and more than a third of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested. Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers.
Pollsters and election analysts see a chance that Democrats could make gains amid Trump’s low approval ratings. Initial results are expected overnight into Wednesday Central European time, but it may take several days to determine which party controls Congress if the contests are close. Runoffs could follow in a small number of states.
Unlike in Germany, there is no single scheduled projection for the overall result. Media organizations will report projected outcomes seat by seat, based on vote counts. In each race, the candidate with the most votes wins.
The midterms, held halfway through a presidential term, are traditionally treated as a measure of public opinion on the administration. If Republicans lose control of one or both chambers, Trump could face greater difficulty passing legislation and securing a government budget. Congress could also step up hearings involving administration officials, reject presidential nominees for senior roles, or—if Democrats regain the House—begin impeachment proceedings.
The election is also drawing international attention because its outcome could affect Trump’s foreign and economic policies, including his approach to the war in Ukraine, trade disputes and the conflict with Iran. The campaign has focused heavily on the cost of everyday life, with grocery prices weighing on voters. Fuel prices have also risen amid Trump’s war with Iran, which Democrats have criticized him for failing to resolve.
Trump has framed the midterms as a vote on his policies and urged voters to treat his own position as if it were on the ballot. He also played a role in selecting many Republican candidates, meaning their losses could reflect on him and his political standing. Whether a Republican defeat would make him a “lame duck”—a president with little ability to shape policy—remains uncertain. The report says he could instead seek to govern more through executive orders.
One closely watched Senate contest is in Michigan, where Republicans are targeting a seat currently held by Democrats. Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing Democrat, is running there. If elected, he would be the first Muslim senator in the United States. His proposals include government-funded health insurance for all and higher taxes on the very wealthy. A victory could signal that more left-leaning candidates can win elections for Democrats.
The midterms may also set the tone for the 2028 presidential campaign. Trump’s second term is scheduled to run until early 2029, and the Constitution bars a president from being elected more than twice. Democrats are seeking renewed momentum after Kamala Harris’s defeat to Trump in 2024, but the party has yet to settle on a clear direction or a leading presidential contender. સ
Sources: Handelsblatt.