The midterms in numbers and maps

The midterm elections two years after a president takes office are traditionally a test of sentiment for his administration. The incumbent’s party was often punished by voters.

If Republicans lose the majority in one or both chambers this time, it would be more difficult for Trump to pass legislation through the House. His second term lasts until the beginning of 2029.

Senate

In the Senate, the upper house of Congress, each state has two representatives, regardless of its population - so there are a total of 100 senators. Now 35 of them are being re-elected.

So far, the Republicans have made up the majority with 53 senators. The Democrats, with their current 47 senators - including two independents - have to gain four seats in order to reach a majority of 51 senators. In the event of a tie of 50-50, the vote of Republican Vice President JD Vance will decide.

There is a special feature in Georgia: If none of the candidates in this state receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the Senate election, a runoff election will be scheduled for December 1st.

House of Representatives

In the House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress, all 435 representatives will be re-elected. Here, unlike in the Senate, each state has a number of representatives that is roughly proportional to its population. That ranges from 52 seats for California legislators to one representative each from Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.

So far, the Republicans have a very slim majority here. The Democrats must gain at least four seats in order to take control of the lower house from Trump's party and to have 218 parliamentarians and thus the narrowest possible majority.

Governors

There are also gubernatorial elections taking place in 36 of the 50 US states. Currently, Republicans have 26 governors and Democrats have 24. Since 2010, there have been more Republican governors than Democratic governors.