First polling stations close, early US midterm results could still shift
The first polling stations are closing as voters have their say on Donald Trump's second term and the balance of power in Congress.
Follow-up to: Americans vote today on Trump's power base Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 06:46
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The first polling stations in the United States have closed for the midterm elections. The result will determine whether President Donald Trump can pursue his political agenda over the next two years with a Republican majority.
According to WHYY, the elections concern all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and around one-third of the Senate. According to WHYY, Republicans currently hold a majority of 218 to 212 seats in the House. According to WHYY, the Senate balance is 53 Republicans to 45 Democrats; two seats are held by independents.
Democrats need a net gain of three seats, according to the Associated Press, to take control of the House. A Senate majority requires a net gain of four seats, because fewer seats are up for election at the same time and the starting position varies by state. Many of the tightest races are being fought in traditionally Republican states.
The first results say little about the final outcome. In the United States, votes are counted by state and sometimes by county, while postal votes must first be checked. NPR therefore warns that an early lead for a candidate may shift as more polling stations report.
Turnout could be relatively high. More than 59 million voters had already cast their ballots before election day, according to an AP analysis, compared with just over 58 million in the early voting in 2022. That figure is not a final nationwide turnout figure, because election-day votes and postal ballots arriving later are not yet included.
AP describes the vote as a political judgement on Trump's second term. AP reports that around three-quarters of surveyed voters are dissatisfied or angry about the direction of the country and that around three-quarters rate the economy as mediocre or poor. The cost of living and alleged corruption are among the main reasons for voting, according to the same poll.
A Democratic majority in either chamber would force Trump to negotiate more often with the opposition and could enable congressional investigations into his policies. With a Republican majority, the president has more room to pursue his agenda. The final balance of power may only become clear later; an early result is not a reliable prediction of the final outcome.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The first polling stations have closed, but the nationwide result is not yet known.
- All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and around one-third of the Senate are up for election.
- Republicans control the House and the Senate at the start.
- More than 59 million Americans had voted before election day.
- A majority in either chamber affects how much room the president has to pass laws and implement policies.
Left
Arguments From a left-wing perspective, a Democratic majority could provide a necessary parliamentary counterweight to Trump's policies and make investigations into abuses of power possible.
Values The emphasis is on institutional oversight, protecting democratic norms, and policies concerning affordability and social rights.
Consequences From a left-wing perspective, a continued Republican majority could be feared as confirmation that the president faces little effective opposition in Congress.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that voters must first await the full result and that cooperation will remain necessary, regardless of which party secures a narrow majority.
Values Continuity, verifiable counts and governability are central from the political centre's perspective.
Consequences A divided government could slow new legislation, but could also lead to greater oversight and compromise.
Right
Arguments From a right-wing perspective, a Republican majority could be seen as a mandate to pursue Trump's electoral agenda, border policy and economic plans without Democratic obstruction.
Values The emphasis is on the voters' mandate, national sovereignty, less government intervention and the ability to deliver.
Consequences From a right-wing perspective, a Democratic takeover of one chamber could be feared as a source of political obstruction, investigations and delays to the government's programme.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on current reporting by AP, NPR and WHYY. The text clearly distinguishes between early results, early voting figures and the final result.
- confirmed The first US polling stations have closed for the midterm elections. — AP reports that the first polling stations close on Tuesday. source
- confirmed All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election. — WHYY states that all 435 seats are up for election. source
- confirmed Republicans hold a majority of 218 to 212 seats in the House. — This seat balance appears in WHYY's current election information. source
- confirmed Democrats need to gain three seats for a majority in the House. — AP reports that a net gain of three seats is required. source
- confirmed More than 59 million voters had cast their ballots before election day. — AP cites more than 59 million early votes cast. source
- confirmed Early results may shift because postal votes are counted later. — NPR warns that postal votes require verification and that early leads may change. source
- confirmed Around three-quarters of surveyed voters are angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country. — AP reports this finding from the AP Voter Poll. source
- confirmed A majority in either chamber would force Trump into more negotiations with the opposition. — ABC News describes the consequences for Trump's legislative agenda of losing a Republican majority. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the first polling stations have closed, that all seats in the House and around one-third of the Senate are up for election, and that counting is still under way. There is not yet a reliable nationwide result; early leads may change as later counts come in.Sources
- Midterm election voters pass judgment on Trump — Associated Press
- 2026 Election Results — NPR
- 2026 midterm election results: U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor’s races — WHYY
- US Midterm Election Live Results 2026 — ABC News Australia
The story so far
- Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 06:46 Americans vote today on Trump's power base
- Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 21:47 Counting problems delay US midterm result
- Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 00:46 First polling stations close, early US midterm results could still shift (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „amerika midterms”
- Trouw — „amerika midterms”
- NRC — „amerika midterms”