The US midterm elections are being held on Tuesday, November 3, as American voters choose all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and governors in 36 states. The vote will decide which party controls Congress for the last two years of President Donald Trump’s term.
The earliest polls open at 5am Eastern Time, which is 3pm in Pakistan. The first polls close at 6pm ET in Indiana and Kentucky, or 4am on Wednesday Pakistan time. Millions of Americans have already cast ballots through early in-person and postal voting.
What Is at Stake in the US Midterm Elections
| Chamber | Seats up | Current position | Democrats need |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of Representatives | All 435 | Republicans 218, Democrats 214 (some vacancies) | Net gain of 4 seats |
| Senate | 35 of 100 (33 regular, 2 special) | Republicans 53, Democrats 45 + 2 independents | Net gain of 4 seats for 51 |
| Governors | 36 states | – | – |
If the Senate ends in a 50-50 split, Republican Vice President JD Vance would cast the deciding vote. The two special Senate elections are in Florida and Ohio.
Key Races and Issues
Senate contests in Texas, Ohio, Maine, Michigan, Georgia and Alaska are drawing the most attention because they could decide the majority. Pre-election polls favour Democrats to win the House, while the Senate is seen as too close to call.
The economy dominates the campaign. In one pre-election survey, 78% of respondents said rising living costs were a very important or the most important issue for them. Foreign policy is also on voters’ minds.
US Midterm Elections: Poll Closing Times in Pakistan
| States | Polls close (ET, Tue) | Pakistan time (Wed) |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana, Kentucky (first) | 6:00pm | 4:00am |
| Georgia, South Carolina | 7:00pm | 5:00am |
| Ohio, North Carolina | 7:30pm | 5:30am |
| Most of Texas | 8:00pm | 6:00am |
| California | 11:00pm | 9:00am |
| Hawaii, most of Alaska | Midnight | 10:00am |
How the US Midterm Elections Affect You
Congress controls the US federal budget, foreign aid, trade laws and sanctions. If the opposition wins one or both chambers, it can block or slow the president’s legislation and launch investigations, while a Congress controlled by the president’s party makes it easier to pass his agenda. For Pakistan, this shapes US trade and tariff decisions, aid programmes and the wider foreign policy climate.
Financial markets are also watching. Uncertainty ahead of the vote has already been cited by traders in global stocks and cryptocurrencies, and the result could move the dollar, oil and share prices that Pakistani investors follow.
What Are Midterm Elections?
Midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Members of the House serve two-year terms, so all House seats are contested every two years, while senators serve six-year terms with about one-third of the Senate elected in each cycle. Historically, the president’s party has often lost seats in midterms, which is why they are seen as a test of the sitting president.
When Will Results Come?
The first results are expected soon after the first polls close, early on Wednesday morning Pakistan time. Close races can take days or even weeks to settle as postal ballots are counted, and news organisations may project winners before official certification. The new Congress takes office in January 2027.
For official updates, visit the US government’s Vote.gov website.
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