Midterm elections are taking place in the United States today

Americans are voting for Congress, as well as for local government officials in some states.

This marks the first major national election since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidential term.

The midterm elections will determine the occupants of all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate; additionally, governors will be elected in 36 states.

Because these elections occur halfway through the president’s four-year term, they are known as "midterms."

Currently, the Republican Party holds the majority in both chambers of Congress. If the Democrats win a majority in one or both chambers, it will become more difficult for Donald Trump to implement his policies. Since Congress is responsible for passing legislation and the federal budget—and also exercises oversight over the executive branch—a shift in the majority would impact both the country’s domestic and foreign policy.

According to international media outlets, including Reuters, the Democrats have a chance to regain the majority in the House of Representatives. The race for the Senate, however, is more competitive.

Key themes in the election campaign included the rising cost of living, the economy, immigration, Trump’s trade policy, and the prospect of war with Iran.

The United States does not have a unified, centralized election system. Each state determines its own rules for voting and vote counting. Citizens can cast their ballots at polling stations, through early voting, or by mail. Counting and verifying mail-in ballots is a time-consuming process.

Polling stations will close at approximately 04:00 on November 4 (Georgia time).