Some voters see the midterms as an opportunity to give US President Donald Trump a lesson. This is the result of a survey by the SSRS institute on behalf of several US media outlets, including major television networks and the AP news agency.
Three quarters were “angry” or “dissatisfied” with the country’s development. 70 percent of those surveyed would also like Congress to exercise greater control over the president.
For the survey, 75,000 people were interviewed before the election. On election day itself, around 25,000 people were added through post-election surveys.
The government is sending the judiciary after opponents, universities see their freedoms threatened: There is a controversial debate in the USA as to whether the country under Trump is still a democracy.
There were problems in several states during the US midterm elections. Counties in North Carolina and Pennsylvania extended the opening hours of polling stations after initial difficulties, as US media consistently reported.
Ballot papers were missing in the metropolis of Chicago. More are already being printed, said Julie Metea, spokeswoman for the Chicago Board of Elections. All people who were already in the queue when the polling stations closed would still be allowed to vote, she promised.
Technical problems were reported in four counties in North Carolina, according to broadcaster ABC. In a statement from Chester County in Pennsylvania, for example, there was talk of problems setting up the voting machines, which had briefly delayed the opening of the polling stations. In Westchester County, New York, ballot scanners failed, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A line has formed in front of a polling station in Los Angeles in Boyle Heights, reports ARD correspondent Antje Sieb. "People stand patiently in line in the blazing sun to cast their vote." Registered voters in California automatically receive postal voting documents - which is why many people already have their completed ballot in the envelope, says Sieb. You don't have to wait long.
Many voters prefer not to talk to her, reports Sieb. But Antonio Hernandez says he hasn't voted since Barack Obama was on the ballot. Now his sisters had persuaded him. Other people tell the ARD correspondent that the high prices were also a motivation for them to go to the polls - and the actions of the immigration authorities ICE.
The first polling stations in the USA are closed. This affects parts of Indiana and Kentucky. In other parts of the state, polling stations do not close until 1:00 a.m. (CET). Polling stations also close at this time in six other states, including Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. The polling stations in the Aleutian Islands close last - at 7:00 a.m. (CET). The westernmost polling station in Alaska is located there.
According to ARD correspondent Gudrun Engel, record turnout is expected for the midterms in the USA. She is hearing about long lines at polling stations in several states. And over 59 million people had already voted in advance.
Bruce Springsteen, Reese Witherspoon and Nicki Minaj - several stars have called for people to vote in the midterm elections. Rock legend Bruce Springsteen campaigned for left-wing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed from Michigan. El-Sayed is a fighter for the American Constitution and a fighter "against the corrupt, lawless and anti-American leadership that currently sits in the White House," the musician explained.
Singer Nicki Minaj, an avowed fan of US President Donald Trump, posted a call on Platform X to vote "red" - the color of the Republicans. Actress Reese Witherspoon called for people to vote. "Your voice counts! What a privilege to use it," she wrote on Instagram. Actress Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and the City") called on people to vote for Democrats.
The general conditions for the midterms are clear, says Rachel Thousandfreund of the German Council on Foreign Relations: "Things are looking good for the Democrats. Trump is very unpopular, the economy is no better, everything has become more expensive, and his immigration policy is also being rejected."
The only question is: “Will the Democrats win moderately or will they win very big?” said the political scientist in an interview with tagesschau24. But even if a possible victory for the Democrats in both chambers of Congress would be important for limiting the power of US President Donald Trump, it cannot be a "panacea" against his policies. Parliament is only able to act to a limited extent as a counterweight to the White House.
According to Thousandfriend, it is also important that if the Republicans lose heavily in the midterms, this will weaken Trump, especially within his own party. But if things go better than expected for the Republicans, this would strengthen him in the party.
For technical reasons, the first part of the midterm live blog ends here. Here are the developments to read:
