WASHINGTON — The verdict on President Donald Trump’s two-year performance is being delivered today as Americans head to the polls for the midterm elections, with voting under way for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate.
Polling began first in Vermont, where polls opened at 5 a.m. local time. Polling stations in New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Virginia opened at 6 a.m. local time. The last polling stations in Alaska and Washington state will open at 11 a.m., while voting in Hawaii will begin at noon.
Democrats are positioned to win a majority in the House, while control of the Senate remains uncertain.
According to media reports, Trump’s approval rating is hovering near its lowest level. The war with Iran, rising fuel prices and inflation are cited as the main factors behind the decline in his popularity.
To take control of the House, Democrats need to gain three seats, while in the Senate they would need a net gain of four.
A Democratic victory would give the party the power to launch investigations into the Trump administration and to block the president’s key nominations.
History is also against the president’s party. Since World War II, the governing party has lost congressional seats in all but two midterm elections.