Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: as voters weigh cost of living and oversight

Election Day has arrived, marking the midpoint of President Donald Trump's second term. According to Ballotpedia and USA.gov, the results will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of his presidency. All 435 seats in the U.S. House are up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats while Democrats hold 214. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority. In the Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are on the ballot. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. Republicans can afford to lose only two. The stakes are high as both parties fight for leverage over the legislative agenda.

The mood in the country is defined by economic anxiety. The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on Trump's second term. Voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. Only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About 7 in 10 Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most blame the President for high prices. This sentiment is driving voter turnout as more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday. This number surpasses the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states.

Democratic figures are framing the day around the cost of living and oversight. Rep. Suzan DelBene, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stated that the American people are angry and they want change. She emphasized that the current administration has not met the needs of the public. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party takes the House. He has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight of the administration. This plan aims to address the immediate concerns of voters who feel the weight of rising costs.

The issues on the ballot are personal for many citizens. James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, shared his frustrations. He noted that he is paying more taxes and more for his healthcare. He said he is paying more for everything. His experience reflects the broader trend of economic strain. The AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than 850 million dollars where he won by 10 points or more. Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate. The AP says one or two seats could tip either chamber. Democrats were cautiously optimistic about their chances.

Republican strategies have focused on turnout and money. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout. He said that if they turn out their voters, they win. Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk helped Republican committees outraise and outspend Democratic committees. At the candidate level, however, Democrats outraised their opponents. The 2026 elections will likely be the most expensive in history. Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas. He told the crowd that he really wants them to pretend he is on the ballot. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the President during these events.

Voters are also weighing the impact of new congressional maps. Six states use new maps after mid-decade redistricting. These states are California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio also uses a new map. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern with redistricting. A president's party almost always loses seats in midterm elections. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. This adds a layer of uncertainty to the day's outcomes. The administration has also filed lawsuits related to voting. Trump has continued to make false claims about voting fraud. His administration sued in Alaska and California. Democrats fear interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

A federal judge on Monday temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say this plan risks disenfranchising eligible voters. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines so mail ballots are counted on time. These administrative moves highlight the importance of accurate and timely results. Wall Street is watching for more than control of Congress. Reuters says results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The market is eager for clarity on the government's direction.

Voters can find their polling place at vote.gov or their state election office. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so check your state's rules before going. Poll hours differ by location. For example, in Alabama, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Alaska, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Arizona, they are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Arkansas, they are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. In California, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Colorado, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Connecticut, they are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Delaware, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Florida, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Georgia, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Hawaii, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Idaho, they are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Illinois, they are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Indiana, they are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Iowa, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Kansas, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time. In Kentucky, they are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Louisiana, they are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Maine, they are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Maryland, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Massachusetts, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Michigan, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Minnesota, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Mississippi, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.