Midterm elections test Trump's second term as early turnout climbs

Americans are voting Tuesday in midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress and are widely viewed as a verdict on President Donald Trump's second term, News4JAX reported, publishing an Associated Press story.

The Senate is currently split 53-47 in the GOP's favor, according to that report, so Democrats must pick up four seats on net to win it. In the House, a gain of three would hand them the majority. Republicans were bracing for the possibility of losing the House while fighting to hold the Senate, the report said.

Turnout before Election Day has been strong. News4JAX reported that over 57 million people had voted by Monday, outpacing 2022's early vote in many battleground states. 6abc Action News reported that Pennsylvania voters had sent back over 1 million mail ballots by Monday night, while upward of 250,000 had yet to arrive. Bucks County led the state in turnout so far, the station said.

Trump's approval stands at 35% in AP-NORC polling, and just 25% approve of how he is handling the economy, News4JAX reported. The outlet described voters as frustrated over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. Speaking at his last rally, in Salina, Kansas, Trump told supporters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot," according to News4JAX.

An AP review of AdImpact figures, cited by News4JAX, found that 88.1% of Republican TV advertising in the general election was aimed at places Trump won two years ago. Key Senate races include North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Alaska and Michigan, the outlet said. Governors are on the ballot in 36 states.

Voting integrity has also been disputed. News4JAX reported that Trump has continued to assert, without basis, that noncitizens are voting in large numbers. WCAX noted that federal prosecutors have brought election-related charges against only a few dozen people in 2026.

WCAX reported that two administration legal moves fell short before Tuesday. In Alaska, officials sought to stop certification of the Senate result, arguing voters might be confused because two Dan Sullivans appeared as candidates; a federal judge threw out the case Sunday, WCAX said. In California, the Supreme Court on Monday turned down an effort to sideline 20,000 ballots alleged to belong to likely noncitizens.

Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, ranking Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, said roughly 300 House staffers had volunteered to watch tabulation in 60 to 70 potentially close locations, WCAX reported.

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters voiced optimism, saying, "Everything depends on turnout," according to News4JAX.

In Honolulu, first-time young voters held a rally urging others to return their ballots, which are due Nov. 3, Hawaii News Now reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by News4JAX, 6abc Action News, Hawaii News Now and WCAX. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/710