Polling is underway across the United States in the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress and influence the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. The campaign has unfolded amid frustration over the cost of living and disputes over the administration’s role in the electoral process. Recent polls indicated that Democrats were well positioned to win the House of Representatives and make gains in the Senate, where control hinges on a series of close races.
The Senate contests attracting particular attention are in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. More than 55 million people had voted early, a total reported to be over 20% higher than at the 2022 midterms.
The Justice Department has deployed 1,000 election observers, while civil rights organizations and Democrats have mobilized to counter voter intimidation and the presence of federal agents at polling places. In Alaska, the department is also pursuing a criminal investigation linked to the Senate race and has sent letters to nearly 20 Democrats informing them that they are part of the inquiry, according to the report. A judge rejected the department’s request to prevent certification of the results if the Republican incumbent loses.
Some voters have faced practical disruptions. In Westchester County, New York, voting machines reportedly rejected ballots because of the paper’s thickness. Election officials said people could continue voting and that ballots would be stored securely in emergency bags until they could be counted under established procedures.
Flooding in parts of eastern and central Florida has prompted officials to relocate some polling sites. The state issued a list of affected locations across Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, with authorities saying additional changes may be needed.
In Ohio, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called for a “one Ohio” approach, urging voters to move beyond divisions between rural and urban communities and between the parties. His Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, criticized a campaign advertisement involving her mother, which drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans and was largely withdrawn amid the controversy.
In Michigan, former president Barack Obama urged voters in a recorded phone message to support Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a physician campaigning on jobs, health coverage and lower costs. The race became more contentious after El-Sayed’s former primary rival, Representative Haley Stevens, appeared publicly with Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
The day’s voting has also been affected by severe weather. Rain was forecast in Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, with possible thunderstorms in eastern Texas, southern Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. Florida officials said flooding had already forced changes to some voting locations.
Sources: El País Portada.