It’s Election Day: Here’s what you need to know before polls close
The polls have opened as voters decide who will control the 120th Congress. All 435 House seats are up for grabs, and 35 out of the 100 Senate seats are open.
WASHINGTON —
Polls across the country have started to open as Democrats and Republicans fight for control of the 120th Congress. The midterm elections are historically a challenge for the president’s own party.
When will results from the midterm elections start coming in?
We’ll start getting results when the polls close Tuesday night. Experts predict we’ll likely see early indications about which party will control the House by Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.
Elections are controlled by states, and every state has different laws and procedures for counting votes, so it’s not a sign of fraud if a race takes more time. It’s just a process.
Finding out who controls the Senate could take more time. There are a number of Senate races that could be really close, which could delay the final results.
The large quantity of mail ballots this year could also impact the outcome. According to our partners at PolitiFact, most states, including Florida, require mail ballots to be received by Election Day. However, some states allow voters to return ballots later.
What does the balance of power look like?
Republicans control both the House and Senate, but Democrats believe they have a chance to flip both chambers. History shows it can happen. In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are up for grabs. Currently, Republicans have five more seats, including an independent who caucuses with the GOP. For Democrats to win the House, they’ll need to flip districts where they believe Republicans are vulnerable.
The Cook Political Report predicts Democrats have a good chance of flipping more than a dozen House seats.
In the Senate, 35 out of 100 seats are open. The GOP holds a 53-47 majority. The most straightforward path for Democrats to win this chamber involves holding all of their seats and picking up four more seats. Their best opportunities fall in states like Iowa, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio.
Which races could determine control of Congress?
Democrats are optimistic they’ll pick up a number of seats in the House and gain control of that chamber. If that plays out, Democrats will likely try to tackle affordability concerns, which is a top issue for voters. The party will attempt to move legislation on the Iran War.
A top House race Democrats are eyeing to flip is in Nebraska’s second congressional district. Republican Rep. Don Bacon is not running for reelection. The Cook Political Report is classifying that race as leaning “likely Democratic.”
Other races that could determine which party holds the majority in the House include Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Texas’s 15th Congressional District, and Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District.
A number of races are extremely tight in the Senate. The Cook Political Report is categorizing Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Texas’ Senate races as “toss-ups.”
If there’s a blue wave and Democrats win the majority in both chambers, it will still be difficult for lawmakers to move legislation because the president has the power to veto bills they pass.
However, the Senate has the power to confirm President Donald Trump appointees, so a Democratic majority in the Senate could hamper the president’s priorities.
If Republicans maintain control of both chambers, the party will likely continue advancing the Trump administration’s agenda.
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