Democrats Eye Senate Sweep as 58 Million Early Voters Deliver Verdict on Trump
A Democratic wave threatens to strip President Trump of his congressional majority as voters head to the polls in midterm elections widely seen as a referendum on his leadership.
More than 58 million Americans have already cast early ballots in the US midterm elections, with polls now open across dozens of states in what is widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump [277978]. The elections will decide who controls Congress for the next two years and shape the direction of US policy on the economy and other key issues [277955].
Most polls suggest the Democrats will take back the House of Representatives, while the bigger question is whether they can also win the Senate and block Trump's agenda during his final two years in office [277978]. Democrats are favored to win control of the House and are also close to winning the Senate [277995]. A Democratic House would be able to block Trump's agenda and launch investigations into his administration [277995].
President Trump's Republican Party currently holds both chambers of Congress, but poll watchers predict a Democratic wave that could change that [278000]. Two years ago, Trump won the White House and gave Republicans control of both chambers. On Tuesday, voters will decide whether to take that power away [278107]. The US president has turned the midterm elections into a referendum on his leadership, a gamble that could backfire as polls show Democrats leading in most of the seven key states that will decide who controls the Senate [278107].
A final poll by The New York Times and Siena University shows Democratic candidates ahead in five states currently held by Republican senators and nearly tied in a sixth. They lead in Kansas, Maine, Ohio and Texas, and hold a slight edge in Alaska. Iowa is effectively tied [278107]. To win the Senate, Democrats must defend every seat they hold and flip at least four Republican seats [278107].
Discontent with Trump is hurting Republicans. Only 38% of likely voters in the seven polled states approve of his job performance—a striking figure given that Trump won five of those states by wide margins just two years ago. Voters are increasingly worried about corruption while struggling with the cost of food, fuel and housing [278107].
In Ohio, a new New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrats leading the races for senator and governor, giving Democratic candidates an edge in both contests [277685]. In Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico held his final rally on Monday, one day before the elections. His race against Republican Ken Paxton could decide which party controls the Senate majority. A Talarico win would mark the first time a Texas Senate seat has turned blue since 1988 [277977].
The Supreme Court has refused to hear an emergency request from Donald Trump seeking to force California to set aside 20,000 ballots. The court's decision, issued on Monday, November 2, 2026, ends the president's attempt to challenge the handling of those ballots in the state [277605]. The ruling came as the final New York Times and Siena College poll before the midterm elections showed Abdul El-Sayed leading Mike Rogers in the Michigan US Senate race by 11 percentage points—outside the margin of error [277605].
Trump said Democrats have nominated "the most extreme and dangerous" candidates in US history ahead of the midterm elections. He also lowered expectations for his party, saying a sitting president "doesn't win" the midterms [277481]. With midterm elections on November 3 approaching, polls show Democrats have a strong chance of winning both the House of Representatives and the Senate. President Trump said he will accept the election results only if they are "honest" [277507].
Voters across the United States go to the polls on Tuesday, and Washington is bracing for a major upheaval [278000]. If Democrats win control of Congress, they will be able to launch investigations into the president. They could examine the business dealings of his family and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and question the $2 billion the president has reportedly made since returning to office. They could also challenge his military deployment in Latin America, the blockade of Cuba, the war in Iran, his immigration crackdown and rising defense spending. Democrats could even start impeachment proceedings in the House, though they would likely lack the 67 Senate votes needed to remove him from office [278107].
Trump has said he will veto any legislation that contradicts his views. He will also struggle to pass bills without Democratic support, including the budget, which has been delayed until mid-December. With two years left and no chance of reelection, Trump may enter a new phase as a weakened leader. Republican lawmakers and figures may begin to distance themselves from a president nearing the end of his time in power [278107].
The elections take place as the war in Iran drags on and fuel prices soar following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade began after US and Israeli strikes started on February 28. Many expect US attacks to intensify after the midterms [278107].
Midterm elections traditionally serve as a referendum on the sitting president. However, the 2026 vote may prove to be a rarer and more consequential event—a catalyst that signals the beginning of a new political era. For Donald Trump, Tuesday's election is a critical test for both his presidency and his legacy. The outcome will determine whether the MAGA movement sustains its decade-long dominance over national life or loses its grip on the country's political direction [278068].