The first polling places opened on the US East Coast as voters began casting ballots in midterm elections that will determine the makeup of Congress. Republicans currently control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, while the contests will renew the entire House and one-third of Senate seats.
A loss of either chamber could significantly constrain President Donald Trump’s powers during the remaining two years of his term. After an intense campaign, Trump has framed the elections as a verdict on his record.
To win a Senate majority, Democrats must hold every seat they currently occupy and gain at least four Republican-held seats. Recent polls put Democratic candidates ahead in five states with Republican senators and show a near tie in a sixth.
Democrats lead in Kansas, Maine, Ohio and Texas, with a narrower advantage in Alaska. The race in Iowa is close. In Michigan, the only key Senate contest in a state currently represented by a Democrat, Abdul El-Sayed is reported to be ahead by double digits.
Sources: elDiario.es.