Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: as voters decide the fate of Congress and governorships

Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections for the balance of power. Voters across the nation are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to decide who will control Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. This midterm election will determine the legislative landscape for the remainder of the administration. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs, along with 35 seats in the U.S. Senate. Additionally, 36 governorships are on the ballot in various states. The outcome will shape the balance of power in Washington for the next two years.

And USA.gov, the stakes are high for both parties. Republicans currently hold 218 seats in the House, while Democrats hold 214. To gain a majority, Democrats need a net gain of three districts. Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45, with two independents caucusing with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. Republicans can lose only two seats to maintain their majority. The governor races are also critical, as Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades.

The mood on Election Day is defined by economic concerns and border security. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on Trump’s second term. Voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s job performance. Only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Many voters blame the president for high prices. This polling is one data point among many as the day unfolds.

Republican leaders are focused on turnout as the key to victory. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout. He noted that if they turn out their voters, they will win. Gruters said that this is what they have been planning for. President Trump held dozens of rallies in the days leading up to the election. He ended his schedule on Sunday in Salina, Kansas. There, he told supporters that he really wants them to pretend he is on the ballot. Trump’s schedule also included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president’s rallies to maintain their own campaigns.

Voters in Florida are already casting their ballots. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, expressed his support for the president. Barker said he has just been following Trump the whole time. He believes the president is doing an awesome job. This sentiment reflects the enthusiasm among some conservative voters. However, other voters are focused on the cost of living. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, cited rising taxes and healthcare costs as his main concerns. Moore said he is paying more for everything. These personal financial struggles are driving the conversation in many districts.

Democrats are cautiously optimistic about their chances. DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said the American people are angry. She argued that they want change. The Democratic Party is counting on economic dissatisfaction to flip seats in the House and Senate. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party takes the House. He has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates like Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg.

Money is playing a significant role in this election cycle. The 2026 elections will likely be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the committee level. This was helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent where he won by 10 points or more. This strategy aims to lock in safe seats while defending competitive ones.

Several Senate battlegrounds will decide the balance of power in the upper chamber. Maine is a toss-up according to all four major race ratings. Iowa is a toss-up or tilts Republican. Kansas is a toss-up to lean Republican. Alaska is a toss-up to lean Democratic. Michigan is a toss-up to lean Democratic. Georgia is a lean to likely Democratic. The AP notes that economic strain and tariffs have made Maine competitive. In North Carolina, Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper is facing former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. In Ohio, Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown is running against Republican Sen. Jon Husted.

Governor races are also tight in several states. The AP calls Texas, Florida, and Iowa competitive governor races. Democrats are defending five governorships in states Trump won in 2024. These include Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans are defending two in states Harris won: New Hampshire and Vermont. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson is facing Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy’s campaign faced backlash over an ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother.

Election administration has been a point of contention this week. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say the plan risks disenfranchising eligible voters. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on its lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. These legal and logistical issues are being closely watched by both parties and the public.

Voters should know how to participate in today’s election. You can find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. ID rules vary by state, so check your state’s rules before going. Poll hours vary by location. For example, in Florida, polls are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. In both Eastern and Central zones. In Georgia, polls are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. In North Carolina, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. To 7:30 p.m. In Ohio, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. To 7:30 p.m. In Texas, polls are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m.

Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. This rule ensures that every voter has a chance to cast their ballot. You should stay in line until you are able to vote. The day is long, and your vote matters. As the polls open, the nation watches to see if Republicans can beat the midterm pattern. The president’s party almost always loses seats in midterms. Republicans tried to use redistricting to their advantage. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. The results will shape the final two years of Trump’s term.