The Nov. 3 vote will set the balance of power in Congress for the closing stretch of President Donald Trump’s term, with seats in both chambers on the ballot.
Euronews video included scenes from Fairfax, Virginia, and New York; AP’s coverage noted voting had started in New York. The Virginia Department of Elections listed polling hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. The New York State Board of Elections listed statewide hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
The early-voting figures do not show how many people ultimately voted. AP’s review of data available five days before Election Day put participation above 43 million across 47 states and Washington, D.C., counting early in-person ballots and mail ballots already returned. AP said the tally was nearly 10 million higher than at the comparable point in 2022.
Every House seat is contested every two years. Senate terms last six years and are staggered, so roughly one-third of senators face voters every two years. AP’s review of recent elections found the chambers can shift in different directions: Democrats gained 40 House seats in 2018 as Republicans added two Senate seats. For 2022, AP recorded a different split: Republicans picked up nine House seats, while Democrats retained Senate control and gained one seat.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered a forecast, not an election result. After voting in Brooklyn, Schumer told AP, “There will be a new Democratic majority in the United States Senate.”
EconoTimes previously outlined the stakes in the congressional contests. In New York, county boards move to certification once counting and canvassing are complete. The New York State Board of Elections says that process usually concludes within 25 days of a general election.
