AMERICA HEADS TO MIDTERM POLLS AS TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY FACES CRUCIAL TEST, CONTROL OF CONGRESS AT STAKE
November 3, 2026
WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 3: Millions of Americans are preparing to vote in crucial midterm elections on Tuesday, widely regarded as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second-term leadership, with the balance of power in both chambers of Congress at stake.
The elections will determine whether Trump's Republican Party retains control of the House of Representatives and the Senate or whether the opposition Democratic Party succeeds in taking control of at least one chamber. The outcome will have significant implications for the final two years of Trump's presidency and his ability to advance his legislative agenda.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 37 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested. Gubernatorial elections are also taking place in 36 states, including Ohio, where Indian-American Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is facing Democratic nominee Amy Acton.
Several Indian-American candidates are also seeking electoral victories across the country. Democratic lawmakers Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal and Suhas Subramanyam are contesting for re-election to the House, while Pia Dandiya and Amish Shah are seeking to enter Congress. Nithya Raman, who was born in Kerala, is also contesting the Los Angeles mayoral election against incumbent Karen Bass.
The election campaign has been dominated by concerns surrounding the prolonged war with Iran, rising inflation, trade disputes and deep political divisions within American society. Trump has travelled across 20 states and addressed 30 rallies during the final 32 days of campaigning, according to the White House. However, analysts cited in the report say his approval ratings have declined and that his political position could become a liability for Republican candidates.
Former President Barack Obama has actively campaigned for Democratic candidates, describing the midterm elections as an opportunity to restrain the Trump administration. Trump, meanwhile, has acknowledged the possibility of losing congressional control and indicated that he would use his presidential veto powers if Republicans suffered electoral setbacks.
The elections are also being closely watched for the political future of Vice-President JD Vance, who has participated in campaign events and is seen as a potential successor to Trump's political leadership.
With more than 57 million ballots already cast across 47 states and Washington DC by Monday, according to the Associated Press, voter participation has exceeded the corresponding early-voting figure recorded in the 2022 midterm elections. The results will determine the composition of the US Congress and the extent of legislative oversight facing the Trump administration.
