US midterm polls begin closing as control of Congress hangs in balance

The first polls have closed in the United States midterm elections, beginning a results process that will determine control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. All 435 House seats are being contested, along with 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. Voting continued in other states after polling stations closed in Kentucky and Indiana, while some results may not be known until Wednesday or later.

Al Jazeera said the first closely watched indication would come from Kentucky’s sixth congressional district, where Democrat Zach Dembo is challenging Trump-backed Republican Ralph Alvarado. Democrats have campaigned on reducing the pressure of rising living costs and ending what Al Jazeera described as the US-Israel war on Iran. The party is seeking to regain the House and has expressed confidence that it could also take the Senate, although the BBC cautioned that polls have not always been reliable.

The BBC outlined several possible outcomes rather than a forecast. A strong Democratic wave could give the party both chambers and produce a direct political setback for Trump. A smaller Democratic advance could return the House to the party while leaving the Senate narrowly divided.

A mixed result could preserve Republican control in one chamber and lead to legislative gridlock. Early voter concerns have focused heavily on household finances. India Today, citing preliminary CNN voter-poll results, reported that more than four in 10 voters said their financial situation had worsened over the previous two years, while roughly two in 10 said it had improved.

Petrol and diesel, food, utilities and healthcare were among the costs identified by voters. Election-day administration produced difficulties in Chicago, where several polling stations reportedly ran out of paper ballots. Officials said additional supplies would be printed and that anyone in line at closing time would be allowed to vote.

Some voters were directed to electronic machines or universal voting centres, with one voter quoted as waiting an hour and a half. Federal activity around polling places also drew attention. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin denied that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be deployed to intimidate voters, saying federal personnel would respond only to security threats.

ICE separately warned against illegal voting by non-citizens and publicised arrests, although India Today noted that such voting is rare. Michigan officials objected after federal monitors in Dearborn and Flint questioned election workers about training and sought access to materials. The state said those actions were not permitted under law, and the Justice Department agreed to inform the monitors.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Mark Warner won re-election in Virginia, according to India Today, defeating Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa. That result is one confirmed contest, but the broader balance of power remains unsettled.