US midterms: the races to watch

Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections on Tuesday, determining whether President Donald Trump's Republicans will maintain control of Congress or face Democratic majorities for the remainder of his term. Factors such as high living costs, the Iran conflict, and Trump's low approval ratings have aided Democrats in expanding their electoral reach, with even some Republican strongholds witnessing closely contested races.

However, polling inaccuracies, altered districts, and substantial campaign expenditures introduce uncertainty to the outcome. Currently, Republicans boast a 53-47 Senate majority. For Democrats to gain control of the upper chamber, they require a net increase of four seats. A 50-50 split would still favor Republicans due to Vice President JD Vance's tie-breaking vote.

All 435 House of Representatives seats were up for grabs, with the chamber currently represented by 218 Republicans and one Republican-aligned independent, 214 Democrats, and two vacant positions. Democrats must secure at least 218 seats in the lower chamber to claim a majority in the upcoming session. In the Senate, eight battleground states are of particular importance: North Carolina, where Democratic former governor Roy Cooper competes against a Republican opponent.