Polls begin to close in U.S. midterm elections — PHOTOS

The first polls closed Tuesday as voters cast ballots in midterm elections that will serve as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. More than 59 million people had already voted before Election Day, surpassing early turnout from 2022. Democrats were cautiously optimistic as Republicans spent tens of millions in states and districts Trump won handily two years ago, betting that discontent over rising costs, the Iran war, and perceptions the president is focused on the capital rather than pocketbook issues would depress GOP turnout.

Republicans hoped their money advantage would stem losses but were bracing to lose control of the U.S. House and fighting to keep the Senate — an outcome that seemed unlikely earlier this year given a favorable map. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a Senate majority and three in the House. Margins are tight in both chambers, with one or two seats potentially tipping the balance.

The electorate is deeply frustrated. According to the AP Voter Poll, about three-quarters of voters feel angry or dissatisfied with the country's direction, and roughly three-quarters rate the economy as not so good or poor. About half cited government corruption and the cost of living as crucial to their congressional vote, ranking higher than immigration, the Iran war, and AI data centers. "The American people are angry. They want change," said Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Trump, whose party has struggled to turn out low-propensity voters when he is not on the ballot, urged supporters to act as though he were. His aggressive schedule took him to deeply red states including Kansas, Mississippi, and South Carolina. On Tuesday, he declared in a Fox News interview that "inflation is solved" — though consumer prices rose 3.6% in September from a year earlier — and predicted, "I think the results are going to be better than you think."

Sources: Las Vegas Sun