US midterms: AP poll shows voter discontent over Trump's policies and rising costs
In the US midterm congressional elections, the economy and democracy are voters' top concerns, an AP poll finds. Democrats hope to win both chambers of Congress, though redistricting could limit their gains.
The United States is holding midterm congressional elections on Tuesday, widely seen as a verdict on President Donald Trump's performance over the past two years. Seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate are at stake, along with several key governorships. The outcome will determine whether Trump's Republican Party keeps control of Congress or Democrats gain the means to curb the president's power. A voter poll by the Associated Press (AP) news agency points to widespread dissatisfaction.
What the poll shows
Roughly three-quarters of voters say they feel angry or dissatisfied with the state of the country. About 6 in 10 say higher prices are more because of Trump's policies than because of factors outside his control. Around 40% name the economy as the most important issue, and 30% name democracy, both well ahead of crime, healthcare and immigration. About 70% want Congress to exercise more checks and balances on the president.
History and prospects
In almost every modern midterm, the president's party has lost seats in Congress. Democrats are encouraged by Trump's poor approval ratings and by voter concerns about the war with Iran and rising gas prices. Still, since World War II both chambers have flipped from one party to the other in the same midterm only three times: 1946, 1994 and 2006.
Republicans began the current Congress with a slim 220-215 House majority, and Democrats are targeting more than 60 districts. In the Senate, Republicans hold a 53-47 edge; Democrats need a net gain of four seats, which means winning states Trump carried, such as Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Alaska. Redistricting moves overall suggest a net shift of nine seats to Republicans.
Concerns over interference
More than 59 million Americans had voted before Election Day. Watchdog groups worry about possible federal interference, so Democrats and nonpartisan organisations have trained tens of thousands of volunteers to monitor polling places. The Justice Department is sending about 1,000 staff to observe voting. The administration says it has no current plans to deploy immigration agents or the National Guard.
