Voting Under Way in US Midterms as Democrats Eye Gains with Trump's Popularity at a Low

Voting in the United States midterm elections began on Tuesday. The election is being seen as an expression of public sentiment toward President Donald Trump. Results are expected by tonight. At the time of voting, opinion polls show Trump's popularity has sunk to its lowest level.

This time, elections are being held for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate's 100 seats. Governors are also being elected in 36 states. Thousands of seats in state-level legislatures are being contested as well. At the same time, voters are giving their views on various important issues; the proposals include taxing billionaires and matters relating to abortion rights.

To take control of both chambers of Congress, the Democrats need a net gain of only three seats in the House of Representatives. To win a majority in the Senate, they need a net gain of four seats.

If Trump's Republicans lose their majority in the House, the Democrats will gain the power to block the president's legislation. They will also have the opportunity to launch extensive investigations into his administration. Losing the Senate majority would also put Trump's power to appoint Supreme Court justices and senior government officials under threat.

Analysts do not see the election results being very comfortable for the Republicans. Since the Second World War, the sitting president's party has held its ground in Congress in only two midterm elections. In almost all the other elections, the ruling party lost seats.

Various opinion polls before the election have indicated a weak position for the Republicans. In one nationwide survey, voters placed the Democrats ahead of the Republicans — 46 percent favoured the Democrats and 38 percent the Republicans. In particular, after the war against Iran began last February, rising fuel prices have created discontent among voters.

Although he is not a candidate himself this time, the election battle revolves around Trump. He returned to the White House promising to reduce the cost of living. But inflation, tariff policy and fuel prices driven up by the Middle East conflict have put pressure on Americans' lives. According to CNN's 'Poll of Polls', Trump's average approval now stands at 34 percent. In a CNN poll in October, support for him fell to a record low of 32 percent. In the same survey, 73 percent of participants expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of the economy.

Trump, however, produced a surprise on election day itself. Yesterday, as voting began, he announced the cancellation of Israel's 10-year security assistance agreement.