{
  "id": 18024414,
  "title": "Polls open for US midterms in vote seen as referendum on Trump",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/polls-open-for-us-midterms-in-vote-seen-as-referendum-on-trump",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T21:56:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/262433/world/polls-open-for-us-midterms-in-vote-seen-as-referendum-on-trump"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Polling commenced in the United States on Tuesday, with millions of citizens indirectly voting on President Donald Trump's policies. In states on the East Coast like New York and New Hampshire, polling stations opened at 6 am (1100 GMT). Some polling stations in Vermont, a northeastern state, began an hour earlier. Most of Texas (1300 GMT), Colorado (1400 GMT), and California on the West Coast (1500 GMT) followed suit from 7 am. The final polling stations to open were those in Alaska and Hawaii, at 1600 and 1700 GMT, respectively. Early voting was significant, with nearly 58.7 million votes cast, either via postal ballot or in-person. President Trump himself participated in early voting before the first polling stations opened. These midterms will determine the next two years of Trump's term, with control of the House of Representatives at stake. Citizens will decide whether Trump can continue relying on a Republican-controlled Congress or face more challenges from the opposition Democrats. All 435 seats in the House and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. Trump hoped his campaign slogan, \"Pretend I'm on the ticket,\" would bolster Republican candidates' support, but recent polls indicate his personal approval ratings are at a record low. Democrats hope this strategy backfires, as gaining control of one or both chambers of Congress could impede Trump's legislative agenda, launch investigations into his administration, and block his judicial nominees. The Senate's control would also restrict his ability to appoint federal judges. While Trump is usually confident of midterm victories, he acknowledged that historically, the party in power often loses seats in Congress. Despite the unfavorable odds, Trump \"gave this a very strong shot.\"",
  "summary": "dpaWashington Polling began in the United States on Tuesday, where millions of citizens are indirectly casting their verdict on the policies of President Donald Trump. In East Co...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Semafor",
        "title": "Election results to determine the rest of Trump’s term",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/election-results-to-determine-the-rest-of-trumps-term",
        "published": "2026-11-03T12:53:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "As Americans vote, Trump says US will stop $4 billion in aid to Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/as-americans-vote-trump-says-us-will-stop-4-billion-in-aid-to-israel",
        "published": "2026-11-03T13:46:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Full appeals court to rehear case on Trump administration election worker threats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/full-appeals-court-to-rehear-case-on-trump-administration-election",
        "published": "2026-11-03T13:51:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Americans vote in election seen as a referendum on Trump presidency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/americans-vote-in-election-seen-as-a-referendum-on-trump-presidency",
        "published": "2026-11-03T19:14:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "As Americans vote, Trump says US will stop $4 billion in aid to Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/as-americans-vote-trump-says-us-will-stop-4-billion-in-aid-to-israel-18015406",
        "published": "2026-11-03T20:32:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Americans vote in election that could reshape Trump presidency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/americans-vote-in-election-that-could-reshape-trump-presidency",
        "published": "2026-11-03T21:50:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "US voters go to polls with midterms serving as referendum on Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/us-voters-go-to-polls-with-midterms-serving-as-referendum-on-trump",
        "published": "2026-11-03T22:30:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}