Americans Vote in High-Stakes Midterms That Could Define Trump's Final Chapter

Americans across the United States are heading to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections that will shape the final years of Donald Trump's presidency. The contests will determine control of both chambers of Congress, with all 435 House seats and roughly a third of the Senate up for grabs, alongside key governorships and state legislative races.

The midterms are widely seen as a referendum on Trump's leadership and a test of the Republican Party's direction. With Trump not on the ballot, the results will offer clues about the durability of his political movement and the issues driving voters, including the economy, immigration, and abortion. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith writes that the elections will also test what politics may look like without Trump as the central figure.

Implications extend beyond Washington: a shift in congressional power would affect the legislative agenda, oversight of the administration, and the 2028 presidential race. Global allies and adversaries are watching closely for signals of continuity or change in US foreign policy. Exit polls and early results are expected Tuesday evening, with final outcomes in several key races potentially taking days to resolve.