As Americans prepare to vote in the midterm elections on November 3, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions | Today’s news

Americans are preparing to cast their ballots in the midterm elections, which are scheduled for November 3, 2026. They take place halfway through the four-year term of the US president and are among the most closely watched elections for their potential impact on the US political scene.

This year’s midterm elections come at a particularly crucial time as they take place against the backdrop of the war in Iran that the United States and Israel launched earlier this year in February. The war, now in its sixth month, has had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only Washington but the economies of the world. Despite US President Donald Trump assuring Americans that the country will remain protected from the effects of war, the US economy is now feeling the effects, with petrol prices reaching record highs.

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But what exactly are midterms, how do they work, and why are they important? Here’s everything you need to know:

1. What are midterms?

According to the US Vote Foundation, midterms are elections held halfway through a four-year presidential term.

2. Why are semesters held?

These elections are held for Congress, which consists of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The US Congress is responsible for making laws that apply to all states. According to the BBC, while the House of Representatives decides which bills will be voted on, the Senate can block or pass them, confirm the appointment of the US president and, in rare cases, conduct investigations against him.

Each state has two senators who serve six-year terms, while representatives serve two years and represent smaller districts. While all 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for election on November 3, at least 35 out of 100 seats will be up for election in the Senate.

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3. How important are midterms?

Since the midterms take place halfway through a president’s term, they can be seen as a way to evaluate his performance over the past two years. These elections are extremely crucial because they reveal the pulse of the American electorate and whether or not they were satisfied with the work and policies of the American president. In the midterms, the president’s party typically loses seats in Congress.

Midterm elections can weaken a president’s political standing because losing seats in Congress can make it harder for a president to secure support for their legislative agenda.

4. What impact can the results have?

Voters usually want a change in the midterms, so the incumbent’s party usually loses ground in those elections, a scenario that has played out in 20 of the last 22 midterm elections since 1938.

If Republicans hold on and win the midterms, President Donald Trump will be able to continue his policies and plans on issues like cracking down on immigration and tariffs. Conversely, if Democrats control either chamber, they will be able to stop the president’s agenda by blocking legislation. In addition, if the Democrats win, they will also be in charge of the investigative committees and could open an investigation against Trump.

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5. How will the midterms affect the US president?

The president’s job approval plays a key role when Americans cast their votes in the midterm general elections for both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While there are large differences, the overall correlation is clear: The higher his job credit, the fewer losses his side experiences.

6. What are Trump’s ratings ahead of the midterms?

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll at the end of August, Trump’s approval rating is at 33 percent, the lowest level of his political career. Dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the economy and the war in Iran weighed on his approval rating, the poll showed. Democrats were also found to be more excited about voting in the November midterms, with 46 percent of Democrats saying they were very excited about voting, compared to 31 percent of Republicans.

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7. Could low voter turnout among Trump supporters hurt Republicans?

According to Brookings.edu, if past elections are any indication, Trump’s strong connection with his supporters could benefit Democrats, as it did in the 2018 midterms. After Trump’s surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016, support for Republican House candidates fell by more than 11.9 million votes, or 19 percent, in 2018. One reason was that some Trump supporters didn’t turn out when he wasn’t on the ballot. By comparison, the total number of votes for Democratic House candidates has dropped by only about 845,000 votes, or less than two percent, since 2016. The difference in voter turnout helped Democrats win 41 House seats and gain control of the chamber with a 36-seat majority.

8. Can Trump be removed if Republicans lose?

No, a Republican defeat in one or both chambers will not result in the impeachment of the US President. However, if Democrats were to secure victory in the House of Representatives, they would have the authority to conduct an investigation and potentially begin impeachment against Trump.