The United States will hold its midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, in a crucial vote that could reshape the country’s political landscape and determine how much room President Donald Trump has to pursue his agenda during the final two years of his term.

The election will test the Republican Party’s ability to retain control of both chambers of Congress, while Democrats are seeking to regain a majority in at least one chamber.

Midterm elections take place halfway through a US president’s four-year term. The president is not on the ballot, but the results are widely viewed as a public assessment of the administration and its performance.

What is at stake?

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be contested, along with 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. The Senate races include 33 regular elections and two special elections to fill vacant seats. Voters in 36 states will also elect governors.

Republicans currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress. In the House, Republicans hold 218 seats, compared with 214 for Democrats. One independent member aligns with Republicans, while two seats are vacant.

A party needs at least 218 seats to secure a majority in the 435-member House. The newly elected representatives are scheduled to take office on January 3, 2027.

Why the election matters to Trump

The outcome will determine whether Trump can continue advancing his legislative and policy priorities with a Republican-controlled Congress or face stronger opposition from Democrats.

If Democrats win control of either chamber, they could increase scrutiny of the administration and launch investigations into its decisions. A Republican victory, meanwhile, would help Trump retain greater legislative support.

The election is taking place amid rising living costs, US involvement in a war and growing political debate over the administration’s policies.

Controversies over the Justice Department

The role of the Justice Department has also become a contentious issue ahead of the vote. The Trump administration’s department has faced allegations of departing from longstanding practices by becoming directly involved in election-related disputes.

In California, the Justice Department sought to set aside mail-in ballots from nearly 20,000 voters, alleging that some may not be US citizens and therefore were not eligible to vote. The department also sought related documents as part of a criminal investigation.

California authorities said they had measures in place to prevent non-citizens from voting and questioned the department’s legal authority to withhold ballots. A court rejected the department’s request.

A similar legal dispute has emerged in Alaska. The Justice Department alleged that a candidate named Dan Sullivan was running against Republican Senator Dan Sullivan to confuse voters.

A New York Times report said Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign was linked to efforts to encourage retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan to run. Peltola’s campaign denied the allegation, saying it had no connection with either candidate’s campaign.

The election will therefore be closely watched not only for its impact on congressional control but also for what it signals about the political direction of the United States under Trump.