US midterms: the races to watch

Americans cast their votes on Tuesday in the midterm elections, determining whether President Donald Trump's Republicans will maintain control of Congress or face a Democratic majority for the final two years of his presidency. Elevated living expenses, tensions with Iran, and Trump's low approval ratings have contributed to Democrats expanding their list of contested races, even in Republican-friendly territories.

However, polling inaccuracies, altered districts, and unprecedented campaign expenditures have made the result unpredictable. The Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. For the Democrats to seize control of the upper chamber, they must gain a net of four seats, as a 50-50 deadlock would keep Republicans in power through the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs, currently held by 218 Republicans and one Republican-aligned independent, 214 Democrats, and two vacant positions. Democrats need to secure at least 218 seats in the lower chamber to claim a majority in the upcoming session. In the Senate, there are eight pivotal races: in North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper is contesting against a Republican opponent.