In the midterm elections held in the USA on Tuesday, November 3, the first ballot boxes were opened in the states in the east of the country. Voting started at 06:00 local time in states including Maine, New York and Virginia.
Electors vote for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the 100-member Senate. In addition, governorship elections are held in 36 states, while local administrators and state assembly members are also determined in many states.
Midterm elections are of critical importance for the Trump administration, which has been the target of criticism especially due to economic problems and the Iran war.
There is an intense struggle between Republicans and Democrats for control of Congress.
Democrats need to add 3 seats to their current number of seats in order to gain the majority in the House of Representatives.
In the latest assessments of the nonpartisan political analysis organization Cook Political Report, it was estimated that Democrats could win 12 to 25 seats in the House of Representatives.
These predictions strengthened the expectation that the majority in the lower house of Congress could pass to the Democrats.
A change of majority in the House of Representatives could make it harder for the Trump administration to advance its legislative agenda and increase congressional control over the administration.
IN THE SENATE, EYES ON 7 CRITICAL STATES
There is a more contentious and uncertain picture in the Senate elections.
Democrats need to win a net 4 seats to reach 51 members in the 100-seat Senate.
Maine, Texas, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas and Alaska are among the 7 states expected to be the most competitive in the Senate race.
The results in these states are of decisive importance for which party will retain the majority in the Senate.
Economic problems came to the fore in the elections.
Some voters blamed the Trump administration's policies for the rise in gasoline and food prices. The Iran war and comprehensive customs duties were also among the topics criticized.
Immigration policies, access to healthcare and corruption debates also had an important place on the voters' agenda.
ECONOMY REACTION TO TRUMP IN THE SURVEYS
The survey, published in mid-October by the AP-NORC Center for Public Opinion Research, a joint initiative of the Associated Press and the University of Chicago, revealed the economic concerns of voters.
According to the research, 85 percent of voters cited the economy and 84 percent cited the cost of living as among the most important issues of the midterm elections.
While 74 percent of those surveyed stated that they disapproved of Trump's economic management, the rate of those who disapproved of his policies on combating the cost of living reached 79 percent.
These results showed that economic problems were among the main factors that could affect voter preferences in the midterm elections.
Millions of citizens cast their votes before election day in the USA.
According to current data, the number of voters who voted early exceeded 57 million.
According to The New York Times, early voting rates in some states where the Senate race is expected to be competitive have surpassed the levels in the same period of the previous midterm elections.
However, it was noted that in past elections, approximately half of the votes were cast directly on the election day.
Experts state that the increase in early voting is important in terms of voter participation, but this alone does not indicate which party is advantageous.
WHEN WILL THE BALLOT BOXES CLOSE IN THE USA?
Voting hours in the USA vary by state.
In some states in the east of the country, polls will begin to close at 18:00 local time. In other states, voting will end later.
By 9 p.m. Eastern time, voting will be completed in most of the country.
In western states such as Alaska and Hawaii, the polls will close later.
The first results will begin to be announced in the states where voting has ended.
WHEN WILL THE ELECTION RESULTS BE ANNOUNCED?
Determining which party will gain control of the Congress in the USA will depend on the completion of vote counting in some states.
While it is considered that the results in the House of Representatives race may become clear earlier, the contested elections in the Senate are expected to last longer.
It may take time to count the votes cast by mail and verify the election results, especially in states where the vote difference between the two candidates is low.
According to US National Public Radio NPR's assessment, the vote count, which will begin on election night, may take days or even weeks in some regions to complete.
