Voters in US midterms prepare to head to polls - NHKニュース

Voters in the US will be heading to the polls on Tuesday for an election that may tip the balance of power in Washington. The midterms are widely seen as a referendum on the administration of President Donald Trump.

Americans will be casting their ballots for governors, members of Congress and other offices. The Senate has 100 seats, with 35 up for grabs, while all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are in play. Republicans currently control both chambers. The focus is on whether the Democrats will regain a majority, which would affect the Trump administration's ability to craft budgets and pass laws. Trump has been stumping for Republican candidates in key races, delivering his last pitch on Monday at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Meanwhile, Democrats have been stepping up their criticism of the president. They blame him for rising prices and the conflict with Iran. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have been criss-crossing the country to get the message out.Analysts and media organizations say the Democrats are favored to win a majority in the House, and the race for the Senate remains tight.