Live: Trump faces referendum as Americans vote to decide control of Congress

Live blogAmericans are polling on Tuesday in the crucial 2026 US midterm elections, a high-stakes contest that will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and the Senate for the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term. The elections are widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's presidency, his administration's policies and the direction of the country, with Republicans fighting to retain their grip on Congress amid mounting political challenges. Key Senate and House races across the country are expected to shape the balance of power in Washington, with the outcome potentially determining how much legislative room Trump has during the final two years of his term. The elections have also been preceded by legal battles over voting procedures, including a last-minute setback for the Trump administration after the US Supreme Court rejected its bid to stop California from counting mail-in ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters suspected by federal officials of being non-US citizens. The ruling came just hours after the administration approached the court, adding another flashpoint to an already contentious election season. Follow this live blog for the latest updates, key results, political reactions and developments from across the United States....Read More US midterm elections 2026Nov 3, 2026 16:21 ISTUS midterm elections live: Democrats target Texas, Alaska and Kansas in bid to flip SenateRepublicans are defending their 53-47 majority in the US Senate as the 2026 midterm elections bring an expanded battleground map, with Democrats seeking victories in traditionally Republican-leaning states, including Texas, Alaska and Kansas, to wrest control of the chamber. Texas, a key focus of Democratic efforts, has already recorded a significant surge in early voting. More than 7 million people have cast their ballots in the state, according to University of Florida data, around 1.5 million more than the total early votes recorded during the 2022 midterm elections. Harris County, which includes Houston, has also witnessed a sharp increase in voter participation. An Associated Press analysis found that 862,700 people had voted there by Wednesday, compared with 564,500 at the same point during the 2022 midterms. The figures highlight the increased early voting activity in one of the state's key population centres as both parties compete in closely watched Senate contests. Nov 3, 2026 16:03 ISTUS midterm polls live: Early voting tops 50.5 million, nearly 5 million more than in 2022Early voting in the 2026 US midterm elections has surged, with more than 50.5 million Americans casting their ballots ahead of Tuesday's polling, nearly 5 million more than the total early votes recorded in the 2022 midterms. The figures point to heightened voter engagement as a series of closely contested races across the country determine which party controls Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term. According to an analysis by the University of Florida, more than 50.5 million early votes had been cast by Saturday morning. The turnout so far also suggests stronger mobilisation among Democrats, with 10.7 million registered party voters having cast their ballots, compared with 7.8 million registered Republicans in states that report voting data by party affiliation. The figures add to the political significance of the midterms, with both parties seeking to mobilise their supporters in a contest that could reshape the balance of power in Washington.