US midterms: Trump repeats ‘total fraud’ claim over Alaska Senate race as America votes

US midterm elections occur halfway through a president’s term. Their central purpose is choosing members of Congress: all House seats and a portion of Senate seats are contested. The results determine which party controls the legislative branch during the president’s final two years. That can shape investigations, spending, laws and the president’s ability to advance policies.

In this election, voters are deciding whether Democrats can take one or both chambers from Republicans. The article identifies current Republican majorities of 218-214 in the House and 53-47 in the Senate. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to change control.

The contests also provide a nationwide verdict on Trump’s second presidency. A Democratic win could bring investigations into ethics, immigration enforcement and the Iran war. A strong Republican result could strengthen Trump’s control of his party and influence messages before the 2028 presidential election.

The Alaska Senate race is a contest for one of Alaska’s seats in the US Senate. It has drawn national attention because Donald Trump alleges that Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Party helped place a confusing “spoiler” candidate on the ballot. Trump says this undermined the Republican incumbent, Dan Sullivan.

The alleged mechanism was a second candidate whose name matched Sullivan’s. Trump said the candidate agreed to participate “absolutely illegally” and called the conduct criminal. He also claimed another person with no political involvement appeared on the ballot. The New York Times report cited by Trump said Democrats helped recruit the candidate.

The Trump administration has stepped up investigations into the allegation. The article presents the claim and investigation, but does not report a final finding that the conduct was illegal. Trump repeated the “total fraud” accusation in a Fox News phone interview.

Democrats need four net additional seats in the House and four in the Senate to take control of both chambers. A net gain means Democratic victories must outweigh any Democratic losses. Because Republicans hold narrow majorities, a relatively small number of races can determine whether Congress changes hands.

The House stands at 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats, according to the article. The Senate stands at 53 Republicans to 47 Democrats. The article says Democrats are widely expected to reclaim the House, while the Senate remains closely contested. The size of any Democratic Senate gain will matter greatly for Trump’s agenda.

Control of either chamber would have consequences. Democrats could pursue investigations into Trump administration ethics, immigration enforcement and the handling of the Iran war. Republicans retaining both chambers could advance more of Trump’s agenda during the final two years of his term and reinforce his party leadership.

Election monitors observe polling places for possible violations of federal voting laws. They are meant to protect equal access and lawful voting, not to run elections. The DOJ says its monitors will check for voter intimidation and discrimination based on race, colour, national origin or religion. They will also watch whether disabled voters receive equal access and whether required language assistance is available.

The department has deployed around 1,000 monitors across all 50 states. It published a list of 126 counties where they will be present, including counties with closely watched midterm races. This is the first time the DOJ has sent monitors to every state and its largest monitoring effort in the department’s history.

Monitors are not law enforcement officials. They cannot access voting machines or ballots, count votes or interfere with voting. Some local officials fear their presence could intimidate voters, but the DOJ says the effort is transparent and nondiscriminatory.

If Democrats take either the House or Senate, they could use the chamber’s investigative powers to scrutinize Trump’s administration. The article names ethics, immigration enforcement and the handling of the Iran war as possible subjects. Control of one chamber would therefore create a formal check on the president during the final two years of his term.

Investigations can require officials to answer questions and provide information through hearings and document requests. Congress also controls legislation and federal funding, so the party in control can support, reshape or block parts of a president’s program. The exact effect would depend on the chamber Democrats win and the size of their majority.

The article says a Democratic victory in either chamber could pave the way for investigations. It also says the scale of Senate gains will help determine how much of Trump’s agenda Republicans can advance. A strong Republican showing, by contrast, could reinforce Trump’s grip on the party.

Complete election results may take time because voting does not end the legal process. Officials must address questions about voter eligibility, count ballots and certify totals. In a close race, even a small number of disputed ballots or procedural challenges can affect the result and lead to litigation. Certification can therefore come after election night.

The article lists several practical sources of delay. Voters may face long queues, while machines may malfunction. Partisan poll watchers may challenge aspects of voting or counting. Officials and legal experts are watching for disputes over eligibility, ballot counting and certification, all of which can fuel lawsuits.

Weather can also disrupt voting before counting begins. In Florida, flooding forced polling-place changes in St. Lucie and Brevard counties. These events show why early numbers may be incomplete or change as officials resolve problems. Close contests are especially likely to produce delayed and contested results.

The US system divides federal power among the president, Congress and the courts. The president leads the executive branch, while Congress writes laws and controls federal spending. This separation means a president generally cannot create, fund or implement every policy alone. Congress can require explanations, investigate conduct and set legal limits on executive agencies.

For example, Congress can hold hearings, request documents and subpoena testimony while examining administration actions. It can attach conditions to funding or refuse money for a program. It can also pass laws that restrict executive authority, although the president may veto legislation and courts may review disputes. These tools are commonly called congressional oversight and the power of the purse.

The article applies this framework to the midterms. Democratic control of either chamber could enable investigations into Trump administration ethics, immigration enforcement and the Iran war. Republican control would make advancing Trump’s agenda easier, especially during his final two years.