Americans go to the polls to decide the second half of President Trump’s term

Polling stations open at 6 a.m. today (6 p.m. Hanoi time) in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia and some areas of Indiana and Kentucky.

As of November 3, more than 57 million US citizens voted early in the midterm elections. Polling stations are expected to close from 6:00 p.m. today to 1:00 a.m. on November 4, at the latest in some areas of Alaska.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 seats in the Senate will be up for re-election, in addition to governorships in 36 states. The Democrats only need to gain three more seats in the House and four more seats in the Senate to take control of both chambers from the Republicans.

If Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives, Democrats will be able to block US President Donald Trump’s legislative program and conduct wide-ranging investigations into his administration. A loss in the Senate would also threaten the ability of US leaders to appoint Supreme Court justices and senior officials.

Therefore, the election will determine Mr. Trump’s power for the remaining two years of his term. This event is also an opportunity for voters across the United States to evaluate President Trump, in the context of discontent over the rising cost of living and the war with Iran that is turning public opinion away from the Republican Party.

Mr. Trump returned to power last year with a promise to lower prices, but inflation, tariffs and rising fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East are making it difficult for Americans.

According to the BBC, Mr. Trump has had low approval ratings in recent months and final pre-election poll results showed this rate was about 38%. According to the final forecast by Decision Desk HQ, the polling partner of the Hill newspaper and NewsNation channel, the Democrats will win 241 seats in the House of Representatives compared to 194 seats for the Republicans.

In the Senate, the Democrats are also expected to hold a majority with a narrower ratio of 52-48.

In the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, retired teacher Jane Callum, 77, is among the Democrats campaigning for Senator Jon Ossoff.

“I really feel an obligation to do everything possible to change the current direction of the country,” she told AFP news agency.

However, AFP notes that poll results can underestimate the actual level of support for a party and that Republicans are hoping supporters will turn out in large numbers on election day.

Some Republican supporters still show confidence. “We will win. In fact, we probably already won,” said veteran Yvonne Clouser of Texas.

Whether or not the Republican Party will accept the results if they lose is also a matter of concern. Mr. Trump, who sought to reverse his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, has repeatedly alleged widespread voter fraud and accused Democrats of cheating, without providing evidence.

However, President Trump has also signaled that he will simply challenge the Democrats if he loses control of Congress.

“If that happens, I guess I will become Mr. Veto. I will not let their bills pass,” President Trump said in an interview published on November 1, but also noted that he could still eventually reach an agreement with the Democrats.