Americans Vote In US Midterms

What happened

Updated 6:00am ET

Americans are voting in midterm elections that will determine control of the House and Senate. The vote will shape the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats, while Republicans are defending narrow majorities. A Democratic House could investigate the administration, and a Democratic Senate could block appointments. Trump urged supporters to vote, attacked Democrats as extreme, and said Republicans could win if his voters turned out. More than 57 million people had voted early by Monday. Vote counting begins after polls close, but close races could take days. Control of Congress remains undecided.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets cast the vote as a chance for Democrats to check Trump, with his party facing a possible rebuke. The New York Times stressed Republican worry about “significant defeats” and faulted Trump’s closing message as scattered. The Guardian focused on whether Democrats could put a brake on presidential power.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets framed the midterms as dangerous for Republicans, but less settled than polls suggested. Daily Mail emphasized voter frustration with Trump and cited his record-low approval. Washington Times argued Republican turnout could blunt a blue wave, while testing Democrats’ mainstream appeal. Breitbart News stressed that a Democratic House could stall Trump and launch investigations.