The nationwide vote will decide whether Republicans maintain their narrow House majority or if Democrats capture the chamber alongside a contested Senate. Determining the balance of power depends heavily on seven Senate toss-up contests, six of which are currently defended by Republicans. First returns from safe states will arrive after 18:00 EST, but crucial insights will come later as battlegrounds in states like Ohio, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia close. Media models will project winners once insurmountable leads form, though exceptionally tight races could delay definitive results.
Key points
Democrats must secure at least four Republican-held toss-up seats along with their leanin…: Democrats must secure at least four Republican-held toss-up seats along with their leaning contests to achieve a 51-seat Senate majority.
Major US media organizations will depend on analytical models to project victors only aft…: Major US media organizations will depend on analytical models to project victors only after insurmountable leads are established.
Crucial battleground races across New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will heavily influ…: Crucial battleground races across New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will heavily influence which party takes command of the House.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Millions of Americans are voting in midterm elections. The outcome determines which party - US President Donald Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats - controls Congress and could have a significant impact on Trump's presidency.
Once polls close, it is possible the results will not be projected for several hours, days or even weeks. Here's what you need to know.
When will we know the results and who controls Congress?
Congress is made up of two parts - the lower chamber, the House of Representatives and the upper chamber, the Senate.
To win a majority in the House, a party needs 218 seats. In the Senate, a party needs 51 seats for an outright majority. But if the upper chamber is split 50-50, the vice-president has a tie-breaking vote, which gives their party control of it.
First results will start to come in after 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT). They won't tell us much about the overall result because these races are in places considered safe bets for Republicans (Kentucky and Indiana) or Democrats (Vermont).
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