Live: Voting underway in US as DOJ monitors polls in all 50 states for first time

US midterm elections are congressional elections held halfway through a president’s four-year term. In 2026, voters are choosing representatives for the House and senators for the Senate. The results will decide which party controls Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The House has 435 seats, although the article focuses on the current party split: Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214. The Senate is currently divided between 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and two independents who caucus with Democrats. These contests determine who writes and votes on federal legislation.

The election is also being treated as a referendum on Trump’s presidency, policies, and handling of the Iran war fallout. Final pre-election polls gave Democrats an advantage. The outcome will determine how much legislative room Trump has before his term ends.

The article states that Democrats need to gain four net seats to control the Senate and three net seats to secure a House majority. A net gain means Democratic victories must outweigh any seats Democrats lose elsewhere. The target reflects the current party balance in each chamber.

Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, compared with 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with Democrats. In the House, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214, while one independent member and two seats are vacant. Those figures create different paths to a majority.

These thresholds matter because even a small number of races can change national power. Speaker Mike Johnson estimated that about 21 closely contested House races could decide control. If Democrats reach the required gains, they could control the legislative agenda in one or both chambers.

If Democrats win either chamber, the balance of power in Washington would change. Congress would no longer be fully controlled by Republicans, making it harder for Trump’s administration to move its priorities through both chambers. The article directly connects the election outcome with Trump’s available legislative room.

The controlling party generally sets much of a chamber’s agenda, chooses committee leaders, and decides which proposals receive hearings or votes. It can also use committees to scrutinize executive actions. These powers apply differently in the House and Senate, because each chamber has its own procedures and responsibilities.

The immediate effect would depend on which chamber changes hands and by how much. Democrats are seeking four Senate gains or three House gains. The election is therefore a referendum on Trump’s presidency, policies, and handling of the Iran war fallout, while the final result will shape his remaining agenda.

DOJ monitoring means the US Department of Justice is sending federal personnel or coordinating oversight at polling locations in every state. Their role is to observe whether voting is administered lawfully and whether eligible voters can participate. The article identifies this as the first nationwide, all-50-state monitoring effort.

In established US election practice, monitors may observe polling operations, document reported problems, and assess compliance with federal voting protections. They do not count votes or decide winners. Local and state election officials remain responsible for running the polls, while the federal department can investigate potential violations.

The article does not report specific incidents or explain the monitoring teams’ exact methods. Its significance is the nationwide scope during a high-stakes election. Broad coverage could give federal authorities a fuller view of polling conditions and help identify problems requiring follow-up.

Election monitoring matters because national elections are administered across many separate state and local systems. The article highlights the unusual scale: the Justice Department is monitoring polls in all 50 states for the first time. That gives federal authorities a nationwide presence during a contest that will decide congressional control.

In established election oversight, monitors look for possible violations such as voter intimidation, discriminatory treatment, blocked access, improper handling of voting procedures, or failures to provide required assistance. They can record concerns and refer them for investigation. They do not replace local officials or determine election results.

The article does not identify a particular problem that prompted this effort, nor does it report findings from the monitoring. Its importance lies in coverage and accountability. Any documented violations could lead to investigations or corrective action, while a smooth process would provide evidence that polling operated properly.

Early voting lets eligible voters cast ballots before Election Day at designated voting centers or other approved locations. Absentee voting lets voters submit a ballot without attending their usual polling place, often by mail or another approved method. Exact rules differ by state. The article groups Minnesota’s early and absentee ballots in its turnout figures.

Minnesota had received 886,427 early ballots by Monday morning, beating the previous midterm record of 687,062 set in 2022. Minneapolis alone recorded nearly 69,000 early votes. Such volume can spread voting across more days, but it also increases demands for ballot processing, verification, staffing, storage, and accurate reporting.

Record turnout does not by itself predict the winner. It can reduce Election Day lines if capacity is sufficient, while creating administrative pressure if many ballots arrive at once. In Minnesota, early voting continued strongly after the record was reached, making preparation and processing especially important.

The US system divides power between an executive branch led by the president and a legislative branch made up of Congress. Congress writes federal laws, approves funding, and conducts oversight, while the president administers laws and leads the executive branch. This separation prevents one branch from controlling every major decision.

For example, a president may propose a policy, but Congress generally must pass legislation or provide money for it to take effect. Congress can hold hearings, request information, and examine executive actions through committees. The Senate also has distinct constitutional responsibilities, including considering certain appointments and treaties. These tools give lawmakers leverage.

The 2026 election matters because control of the House and Senate will determine Trump’s legislative room during his final two years. Republicans currently control both chambers. If Democrats take either one, they could block or reshape proposals, intensify oversight, and force more negotiation.