US midterms 2026 LIVE updates: Polls begin to open across America with key states threatening President Trump, Republican majority; ‘Blue wave’ predicted for Democrats in House and Senate

Josefine GankoUpdated November 4, 2026 — 12:30am,first published 12:02amKey PostsWhat you need to knowBy Welcome to our live coverage of the US midterm elections, where several critical races could have major consequences for US politics and Donald Trump’s presidency.With polls opening across the country, here’s what you need to know ahead of election night. President Donald Trump gave his final address of the midterm election campaign at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, where he drew controversy for focusing on his renovation efforts.A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Monday showed Trump’s approval rating near a record low, but there are also signs that the battle for Congress between Democrats and Republicans could be tightening. Other polling suggested the Democrats could sweep both houses of Congress in a blue wave.Polls will start to close at 6pm Eastern time (10am AEDT), with Texas and most Midwest states closing at 9pm Eastern (1pm AEDT) and Alaska closing at midnight Eastern (4pm AEDT).Read more on US politics:Referendum on Trump: How the midterm elections workThe key races: These are the contests to watch on election dayInside story: Behind the Democrats’ embarrassing Michigan meltdownBlue wave: Trump accused of misreading the mood of AmericansCory Alpert: Trump’s demolition derby satisfied the bloodlust. Now voters know the costPeter Hartcher: The midterms will prove if the US has become a dictatorshipLatest Posts12.30amThe Senate races to watchBy 35 Senate seats are up for grabs in the midterm elections, but some races will be far more closely watched than others. If Democrats can flip at least four Republican-held Senate seats, and not lose any of their existing seats, they will win a Senate majority.North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Maine, Kansas, Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Georgia are among the key races. As Americans head to the polls, we’ll run you through each race and what is at stake.12.01amIn pictures: Polls open across the countryBy Josefine GankoIt’s the morning of November 3 in the United States, and polls are open in 27 states. For our Australian readers, polls will start to close from 10am on Wednesday, and continue to close from East to West until 4pm.Here are the first images of Americans heading out to cast their votes. Voters wait in line next to campaign signs at a polling place in Warrington, Pennsylvania.AP Photo/Matt RourkeVoters cast their ballots at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.AP Photo/Yuki IwamuraPoll worker Christy Wilson carries signs as she sets up a polling place in Irving, Texas.AP Photo/Julio CortezVoters arrive in the dark to cast their ballots at the Washington Township House polling place in Oregonia, Ohio.AP Photo/Carolyn Kasteryesterday 11.49pmWhat are the midterms all about?By Madeleine Heffernan and Josefine GankoAmericans are heading to the polls for midterm elections that could have big ramifications for the second half of Donald Trump’s presidency.They are held midway between presidential elections to determine the make-up of Congress, which comprises both the House of Representatives (which has two-year terms) and the Senate (six-year terms).All seats in the US House of Representatives and a third of those in the Senate are up for grabs.The results will determine whether the Democrats can neuter Trump’s agenda or if he will maintain his grip on America until the presidential election in November 2028.The Republican Party currently controls both the House and the Senate.Read our quick guide to the midterms here.Pinned post from yesterday 11.38pmWhat you need to knowBy Welcome to our live coverage of the US midterm elections, where several critical races could have major consequences for US politics and Donald Trump’s presidency.With polls opening across the country, here’s what you need to know ahead of election night. President Donald Trump gave his final address of the midterm election campaign at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, where he drew controversy for focusing on his renovation efforts.A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Monday showed Trump’s approval rating near a record low, but there are also signs that the battle for Congress between Democrats and Republicans could be tightening. Other polling suggested the Democrats could sweep both houses of Congress in a blue wave.Polls will start to close at 6pm Eastern time (10am AEDT), with Texas and most Midwest states closing at 9pm Eastern (1pm AEDT) and Alaska closing at midnight Eastern (4pm AEDT).Read more on US politics:Referendum on Trump: How the midterm elections workThe key races: These are the contests to watch on election dayInside story: Behind the Democrats’ embarrassing Michigan meltdownBlue wave: Trump accused of misreading the mood of AmericansCory Alpert: Trump’s demolition derby satisfied the bloodlust. Now voters know the costPeter Hartcher: The midterms will prove if the US has become a dictatorship1 of 1