The American midterm elections are held nationwide every four years, halfway through the sitting president's four-year term — hence the name 'the midterms
There are all sorts of elected positions on ballots but the main focus is on Congress — America's version of Australia's Parliament — which is made up of the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house)
Representatives in the House serve two-year terms, which means all 435 House seats are up for re-election.
Senators however serve staggered six-year terms and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs this fall.
There are also governors' races in 36 states and three American territories this year
Voters will be choosing members of Congress - 35 senators and all 435
members of the House of Representatives - as well as 36 state governors
and dozens of local legislative officials.
The elections matter because both houses of Congress are currently controlled by President Trump's Republican Party.
If
Democrats take back control of the House or the Senate, they could
severely limit what he can do in the final two years of his term.
In the House, analysts predict dozens of seats could change hands and the majority of these are currently held by Republicans.
In the current situation, the Democrats need to net 23 seats to win back control of the House and claim the 218 majority.
n the 100-seat Senate the current balance of power is very tight, with Republicans holding a narrow 51-49 majority.
To have control of the Senate the Democrats need to gain at least two seats, because Republican Vice-President Mike Pence serves as the tie-breaker when votes are tied.
There are all sorts of elected positions on ballots but the main focus is on Congress — America's version of Australia's Parliament — which is made up of the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house)
Representatives in the House serve two-year terms, which means all 435 House seats are up for re-election.
Senators however serve staggered six-year terms and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs this fall.
There are also governors' races in 36 states and three American territories this year
In the House, analysts predict dozens of seats could change hands and the majority of these are currently held by Republicans.
In the current situation, the Democrats need to net 23 seats to win back control of the House and claim the 218 majority.
n the 100-seat Senate the current balance of power is very tight, with Republicans holding a narrow 51-49 majority.
To have control of the Senate the Democrats need to gain at least two seats, because Republican Vice-President Mike Pence serves as the tie-breaker when votes are tied.
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