435 House Seats and 35 Senate Seats Up for Grabs in Tuesday Vote

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot as Americans head to the polls on Tuesday. The outcome will determine which party controls Congress and directly affects President Donald Trump’s capacity to advance his legislative agenda over the next two years.

Voting activity has been heavy before election day. Nearly 60 million eligible voters cast their ballots early, either in person or by mail. This figure represents a portion of the roughly 250 million Americans who are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Research Center.

Early voting numbers do not automatically predict the final tally. Even in states that track party registration, these affiliations do not always align with the specific candidates voters support. Therefore, the early totals alone will not reveal which party is gaining ground.

The Justice Department is deploying approximately 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states. This marks the first time the department’s monitoring effort has reached every state. Their duties include ensuring compliance with federal voting rights laws, specifically regarding protections against voter intimidation and access requirements for voters with disabilities.

Once polls close, the final result may remain unsettled beyond election night. Close contests and the time required to count outstanding ballots could delay the confirmation of congressional control.