The U.S. congressional midterm election, held in the middle of the president’s four-year term, will take place on Tuesday (Nov. 3).
Although it is not an election to choose the president, it is highly significant because it will determine which party dominates both houses of Congress. It will also serve as an important test of President Donald Trump’s political influence and his ability to carry out his plans.
The U.S. Congress has two chambers: the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house). Elections are held every two years for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and, because the terms of the 100 members of the Senate are six years, for roughly one-third of the Senate seats. Accordingly, this time elections are being held for all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and also for governors and local government positions in various states.
At present, Trump’s Republican Party dominates both houses of Congress with a slim majority. In the House of Representatives, where 218 seats are needed for a majority, the Republican Party has exactly 218 seats, while the opposition Democratic Party has 214 seats. Likewise, in the Senate, where 51 seats are needed for a majority, the Republican Party holds 53 seats and the Democratic Party 47 seats.
The party that controls Congress can exert significant influence over the president’s administration. The power to pass new laws, approve government spending, and confirm key appointments lies with Congress. If, after the election, the Democratic Party were to win control of either chamber, President Trump would likely face major difficulties in getting new laws passed and in budget negotiations. In addition, investigations into his administration could intensify, and debates over impeachment resolutions could resurface.
In this election, rising prices, the immigration issue, and the economy have influenced voters. Foreign policy issues, including the Iran matter, have also become political debate. Since midterm elections are generally seen as a referendum on the performance of the sitting president, Trump’s public approval is also expected to be significantly reflected in the election results.
Voting began several days ago at various locations across the United States, and about 50 percent of voters (including mail-in ballots) have already cast their votes. Final-day voting is taking place on Tuesday (Nov. 3). Voting hours vary by state.
According to Indian time, once voting ends at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, vote counting will begin immediately and results will be announced, though it may take longer for results from closely contested constituencies to be released. It may take several days or even weeks for the official final results to be announced.
If there is any deadlock or a narrow vote margin in the election results, there may be disputes over recounts, court cases, and the validity of ballots. Under the U.S. Constitution, the authority to resolve challenges to election results rests solely with the two houses of Congress. If the results in a few constituencies that determine victory or defeat are put on hold, the final decision will be made when the new Congress convenes in January next year.
Indian-origin candidates in the field!
The share of candidates of Indian origin in the fray in the U.S. midterm elections is also significant this time. On behalf of the Democratic Party, Ro Khanna (California), Pramila Jayapal (Washington), Ami Bera (California), and Suhas Subramanyam (Virginia), who are already MPs, are once again contesting for the lower house of Parliament (the House of Representatives).
People of Indian origin are also contesting for important posts on behalf of the ruling Republican Party. With the support of President Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy has entered the race for the post of Ohio state governor. Similarly, Sarita Komati Reddy is contesting on behalf of the Republican Party for the post of New York state Attorney General.
In addition to them, many people of Indian origin are contesting various state and local positions. Key Indian-origin candidates in the U.S. midterm election arena include Nithya Raman for Los Angeles mayor, Dr. Amish Shah for Arizona’s 1st congressional district on behalf of the Democratic Party, businessman Sandeep Srivastava for the Texas state House, and Pia Dandia in Florida.
Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam, Vivek Ramaswamy.