US midterm elections set to decide control of Congress and governorships

US voters will decide on 4 November whether the Republican Party can retain control of Congress or if the Democrats will take the majority.

The midterm elections, held a day before the presidential election, are a referendum on President Donald Trump’s performance, with the president urging voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot”.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are contested; Republicans currently hold a narrow majority and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control.

In the Senate, 35 seats are up for election – 33 regular seats plus two special elections in Florida and Ohio to fill vacancies. Republicans hold 53 seats, while Democrats and independents hold 47, and Democrats require four additional seats for a majority.

Voters will also choose governors in 36 states and three US territories, making a total of 39 governorships at stake.

Thousands of state legislative seats, local offices, judicial contests and ballot measures on issues such as taxes, abortion rights and voting rules are also on the ballot.

Source: The Guardian. Photo: Sora Shimazaki / Pexels.