US midterm voting begins with Republicans facing risk of losing Congress

The first polling stations have opened for the US midterm elections, with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats at stake. Republicans risk losing their narrow congressional majorities, according to Dutch news outlet Nieuws.nl.

Polling places opened first in Vermont. About 30% of the state’s registered eligible voters had already cast ballots, Nieuws.nl reported, citing the BBC. Voting times vary across the country’s time zones; results were expected in the Netherlands overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday.

Polls suggest Democrats are in a strong position to win the House and see opportunities in Senate races in traditionally Republican states including Texas and Kansas. But a Democratic Senate majority is not assured: the party needs four additional seats, including victories in states that Donald Trump sometimes won comfortably in presidential elections.

Nieuws.nl reports that dissatisfaction over the economy and corruption, as well as scandals involving Republican candidates and Trump’s unpopularity, are among factors weighing on Republicans. Republicans had a financial advantage during the campaigns, with technology billionaire Elon Musk among those providing support.

Even if Democrats win both chambers, Trump would remain president and could use his veto to block legislation. A Democratic victory could nevertheless give the opposition more scope to challenge his policies, block appointments and launch investigations.