US Midterm Elections Under Way: Congress and Governors on the Ballot
The United States holds midterm elections on Tuesday, renewing the entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate and 36 governorships. Democrats hope to win back control of both chambers of Congress.
Voters in the United States go to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November, in midterm elections that will renew all 435 members of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate. Held halfway between presidential elections, the vote will determine which party controls Congress, the country's legislature. The Democratic Party hopes to regain control of both chambers.
House of Representatives
The House and the Senate together make up Congress, which has the power to pass laws and declare war. House members are elected every two years. They can introduce bills and resolutions, propose amendments, and initiate impeachment, the procedure for removing federal officials. Each state's number of representatives is proportional to its population.
According to the House press service, the chamber currently has 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats and one independent.
Senate
This time 35 of the 100 senators will be chosen. Each state has two senators serving six-year terms, so roughly a third of the seats are decided in each midterm cycle. The Senate currently has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents.
The Senate is the only body that can confirm the president's nominees for office and ratify international treaties. There are two exceptions: when a vice president is appointed and when foreign trade agreements are approved, the House must also give its consent. The Senate also hears impeachment cases against federal officials.
Gubernatorial elections
Gubernatorial elections are being held at the same time in 36 states and three territories, and many states are also electing legislators and state officials. The National Governors Association describes governors as the chief executives of states and territories. They are generally responsible for carrying out state laws and policy, appointing state officials, approving the state budget and handling local emergencies and disasters, and they liaise with the federal government. The extent of their powers depends on each state's constitution and traditions. The term is usually four years, but it is two years in New Hampshire and Vermont.
