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How to watch the US midterms in Australia, and what you need to know
The 2026 US midterm elections are under way, with voters choosing all 435 members of the House, a portion of the Senate and 39 state governors. The results will show how voters view Donald Trump’s second term and could reshape his ability to advance his agenda; the economy and the state of democracy are among voters’ main concerns.
For Australians, polls began closing from about 10am AEDT on Wednesday, with key Senate races in Georgia, Ohio, Maine, Kansas, Texas and Alaska among those to watch. Australia’s ABC is providing coverage on free-to-air television and YouTube. Results may take hours or days to settle, as states count ballots at different speeds; close outcomes could leave control of Congress undecided for a week. A change in either chamber would affect legislation and oversight, while a Democratic Senate could block some presidential nominations.
In short
- All 435 House seats and 39 governorships are being contested.
- Control of Congress could shape Trump’s remaining agenda.
- Australians can follow coverage through ABC television and YouTube.
Explained simply
US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, some senators and governors in many states.
The two chambers of Congress have different roles in making laws and overseeing the federal government. Which party controls them can affect whether the president can pass legislation, face investigations or secure Senate approval for nominees.
Donald Trump is serving his second term as president. The elections offer a measure of how voters view his administration, with the economy and the state of democracy among the issues on their minds.
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