US Midterm Elections 2026 Live Updates: Voting continues across US as Trump faces referendum. When will results come?

US midterm voting began as Democrats seek to wrest control of Congress from Republicans, potentially challenging Trump’s legislative agenda.

02 Nov 2026, 23:23 by Mashkoora Khan, Majid Alam, Nischai Vats · The Indian Express · Join

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Ocean Center, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Photo: AP)

Voting is underway for the US midterm elections, with millions of Americans polling to decide who will control Congress for the remaining two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Republicans currently control both houses of Congress, but Democrats are hoping to gain four seats in each house and flip the majority, making it tough for Trump to pass legislations.

Meanwhile, first polls in several US states on the East Coast have opened, and it is just past 6 am (ET). Polls have opened in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maine, Kentucky, Vermont, New Hampshire, Indiana, and Connecticut.

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Even as the voting has concluded across several states in the United States for midterms, pollsters have predicted a tough contest for the Donald Trump administration. The Senate race, which is crucial for the Republicans, is likely to be tough in Iowa, Kansas, and Ohio, pollsters have shown. Some states, like Texas and Michigan, are likely to lean towards Democrats in the Senate race.

The midterm elections will decide how much power President Donald Trump has for the rest of his term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up, along with 35 of the 100 Senate seats. Voters in 36 states will also pick governors. About 210 million people are registered to vote.

Trump’s Republican Party now controls both the House and the Senate. The Democrats need to flip enough seats to win a majority in at least one chamber, which would limit what Trump can pass in the second half of his presidency. Democrats enter the vote with high hopes, though it raises the question of whether the polls can be trusted.

On the last day of campaigning, Trump gave a speech on national television and said the country was “booming”. His administration also took the case to court over mail-in ballots in California. A federal judge first ordered the administration to stop demanding that officials set aside up to 20,000 disputed ballots. The Supreme Court then turned down Trump’s request on the same issue.

The Michigan Senate race, which is close, was shaken when Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens backed her party’s rival. She endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who beat her in the primary.

What Trump said: Speaking in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, Trump went after El-Sayed several times. He joked that Congress would need a “special metal detector” for the candidate. Trump has often attacked El-Sayed over his Muslim faith and calls him a “jihadist”. He also praised Stevens for backing Rogers, and he suggested she had won the primary, when she had in fact lost it.

Key updates

Supreme Court rejects Trump on California ballots: The court turned down his push to have thousands of disputed mail-in ballots set aside, after a federal judge ordered the administration to stop the demand.
Michigan Senate race shaken: Haley Stevens, a Democrat, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over her party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.
Early voting record in Georgia: A third of all registered voters in the state have already voted.
Iran talks: Vice President JD Vance said the US has no strict deadline for Iran to agree to a deal to avoid a return of strikes, and that there have been “good conversations” with Tehran.
Republican mood: House Speaker Mike Johnson said in Virginia that polls are not showing the level of Republican enthusiasm. Trump also hopes voters notice falling oil prices.

Follow the latest updates on the 2026 US Midterm Elections Results here. This live blog tracks the key developments as the final days of campaigning and voting day unfold. The headline, introduction, and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the most important news from the vote.

Live Updates
Nov 3, 2026 08:49 PM IST
Trump's former press secretary Karoline Leavitt votes in New Hampshire, shares pictures

White House former press secretary Karoline Leavitt cast her ballot in New Hampshire on Election Day amid the 2026 midterm polls and shared pictures on X.

"VOTED in my beautiful home state of New Hampshire!" Leavitt wrote in a post on X.

Nov 3, 2026 08:37 PM IST
New York county reports ballot scanner problems during US midterm voting

As the polling in midterm elections is underway across the United States, officials in New York have reported issues with ballot scanners in Westchester County; however, they said that votes will still be counted despite the problems.

Westchester County Government has said that the issue involves paper ballots "preventing voting machines from accepting ballots at polling locations throughout the county". It adds that it wants to "reassure every voter that your vote matters, your ballot will be secure and your vote will be counted".

The government, in a post on X, wrote, "The Westchester County Board of Elections (BOE) is aware of an issue involving paper ballots that is preventing voting machines from accepting ballots at polling locations throughout the County. The Westchester Board of Elections wants to reassure every voter that your vote matters, your ballot will be secure and your vote will be counted."

Nov 3, 2026 08:09 PM IST
Voting begins in more US states as midterms seen as referendum on Trump

It's Election Day in the United States, and polling has begun in more states as voters are casting ballots to decide who will hold the House of Representatives and Senate majority for the final two-year term of Donald Trump's presidency.

Here are the states where polling began:

Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
Wyoming
Colorado
Utah
Nov 3, 2026 07:34 PM IST
Which states could elect their first female governors this midterm?

The 2026 midterm elections are expected to make history as several gubernatorial candidates from the Midwest to the South are hoping to win the races in their respective states and become their states' first female governors.

Here's a list of states that could get their first female governors:

Georgia
Minnesota
Tennessee
Ohio
Nov 3, 2026 07:24 PM IST
Dozens of states are poised to elect governors

Beyond Washington, 36 states are electing governors. Democrats hope to take over a majority of statehouses for the first time in two decades. Competitive races include those in heavily populated states such as Texas and Florida, plus reliably red states such as Iowa.

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign faced backlash for an ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother, who lost custody of Acton decades ago after her husband, Acton’s stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child.

Nov 3, 2026 07:14 PM IST
Election monitors sent to all 50 states in US for the first time, Justice Department says

For the first time in the history of the United States, about 1,000 election monitors are being deployed to all 50 states, the US Justice Department (DOJ) said.

The DOJ added that election monitors will be utilised to check if the federal voting laws are being followed in support of "free and fair elections".

Previously, the elections have been monitored by other administrations but not at the scale being carried out by the Trump administration. In 2022, former Democrat President Joe Biden had sent election monitors to 24 states.

Nov 3, 2026 06:47 PM IST
Trump's Justice Dept identifies where US election monitors will be in the 50 states

The US Justice Department said on Tuesday it was deploying 1,000 election monitors and observers to all 50 states in what it called the largest Election Day monitoring effort in history.

A Justice Department statement identified which jurisdictions within the states would receive ⁠monitors and observers.

Department officials have said priorities include areas with a history of voter access issues and places with competitive races that could be targets of voter intimidation.

The Trump ⁠administration has taken an increasingly aggressive approach to election oversight, pressing states for voter-registration ‌data and arguing that stricter measures are needed to ensure public confidence in the vote. Critics view the moves as federal overreach.

Nov 3, 2026 06:37 PM IST
What Americans are voting for in 2026 US midterm elections?

Americans are voting in high-stakes midterm elections in 2026 that will determine control of Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. More than 57 million people had cast ballots early, while key House and Senate races could shape the political outlook for 2027.

Polling stations opened across the United States on Tuesday as voters headed to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections, a contest widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s first two years back in office.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election. Voters in 36 states are also choosing governors. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, and Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to limit Trump’s ability to advance his agenda during the final two years of his term.

More than 57 million Americans had already voted early by Monday afternoon, according to the University of Florida Election Lab, ABC News reported. The total was approaching the 58 million early votes recorded in the 2022 midterms.

Read full story here

Nov 3, 2026 06:34 PM IST
US Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to set aside California ballots

The US Supreme Court dealt a blow to President Donald Trump's administration as it attempted to force California election officials to segregate and not count ballots from people. The development comes after the Department of Justice claimed that they are non-citizens.

Democrat-controlled California and the Trump administration have been at loggerheads for the past few weeks after the Justice Department stated that 20,000 non-citizens were on the state’s voter rolls, The Guardian reported.

Nov 3, 2026 06:27 PM IST
Utah allows voters to cast vote electronically as flooding hits rural county

A flooding emergency was declared in Utah's rural county, and officials have allowed voters to vote electronically. The state declared that voters who can't visit the polling centres or ballot drop boxes today may vote electronically, CNN reported.

Nov 3, 2026 06:05 PM IST
Americans queue up to vote in high-stakes US midterm elections

Voters cast their ballots at the Washington Township House polling place during the midterm election in Oregonia, Ohio. (AP Photo)

Nov 3, 2026 05:57 PM IST
Trump calls Abdul El-Sayed 'anti-Jewish', urges voters not to back him in Michigan

US President Donald Trump called out Michigan's Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, ahead of the midterm voting and said that he is "anti-Jewish" and urged voters to vote for the Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Abdul El-Sayed Hates Jews and Hates Blacks. Don’t feel bad, he also Hates Whites. Only fools would vote for him in the Michigan race for the U.S. Senate! He will, 100%, do you in! VOTE FOR MIKE ROGERS."

Nov 3, 2026 05:41 PM IST
From inflation to immigration: What is driving US voters in the midterms?

Here are some of the key issues shaping the US midterm elections that would be decisive for President Donald Trump's final two-year term.

Economy
Immigration
Iran war
Artificial Intelligence and data centres
Cost of living
Nov 3, 2026 05:34 PM IST
Nearly 59 million early votes already cast in US midterms

As Americans queue up to vote on Election Day, data show that some 58,677,062 votes have already been cast, as of 11:30 pm (ET) on Monday.

As per the data published by the Election Lab at the University of Florida, 31,897,521 early votes were cast in person, and 26,779,541 were mail ballots.

Nov 3, 2026 05:24 PM IST
Which are the Senate seats most likely to flip in midterm polls?

Election Day has arrived in the United States, and several Senate seats are likely to flip according to polls, CNN reported.

Here are the 11 Senate seats most likely to flip in the midterms:

North Carolina
Ohio
Texas
Maine
Alaska
Kansas
Iowa
Michigan
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Georgia
Nov 3, 2026 05:10 PM IST
What time will polls close in the United States?

The closure time of polls in the midterms depends on states across the United States, with the earliest closures at 6 pm (ET) in Indiana and Kentucky.

Voting in Kansas will close at 7 pm (ET) and in Michigan and Iowa at 8 pm (ET). The last poll to close in the midterm elections will be in Alaska at around 1 am (ET) on Wednesday.

Nov 3, 2026 04:52 PM IST
Election Day arrives after a surge in early voting, with observers keeping close watch at the polls

The final day of voting in this year’s midterm elections arrives on Tuesday against a backdrop of uncertainty after a year in which President Donald Trump has tried to interfere in how states run their elections and sown doubts about the outcome should Republicans lose.

Millions of Americans already have cast their ballots, with early voting turnout on pace to eclipse that of the last midterm elections. In contrast to the president’s continued rhetoric about election cheating, voting so far has unfolded with relatively few problems.

Trump has spent months trying to use the power of the presidency to put his thumb on the scale of this year’s elections, which will determine whether his party keeps control of Congress.

- AP

Nov 3, 2026 04:49 PM IST
Republicans' grip on Texas is on the line in a close US Senate race between Paxton, Talarico

A showdown in Texas between Ken Paxton and James Talarico, one of the marquee US Senate races of the midterms, had Democrats pushing to break a 30-year losing streak in the state on Tuesday and Republicans scrambling to defend both a pivotal stronghold and an increasingly fragile Senate majority.

The campaign has tested voters’ tolerance for past scandals that have shadowed Paxton, Texas' Republican attorney general, and whether Talarico's religion-infused populist message can blaze a path to victory for Democrats in a state that President Donald Trump easily carried two years ago.

Nov 3, 2026 04:40 PM IST
First polls open across several US states on east coast

First polls in several US states on the East Coast have opened, and it is just past 6 am (ET).

Polls have opened in:

New York
New Jersey
Virginia
Maine
Kentucky
Vermont
New Hampshire
Indiana
Connecticut
Nov 3, 2026 04:35 PM IST
Betting on US midterms brings rush, stress as serious money goes on the line

When polls close in the US midterm elections on Tuesday night, Noah Poser will be glued to his phone tracking dozens of large wagers he placed on prediction markets.

Poser, 28, who works in financial technology and has written about betting strategies in such markets, plans to track every change in the vote count from a friend's watch party in New York City.

He said he has wagers with a total value in the six figures on the line, betting on a strong showing by Democrats, and entered the bets a few months ago when odds were at a much better price. If he wins, he estimates profits of as much as $30,000.

- Reuters

Nov 3, 2026 04:30 PM IST
Trump brings midterm campaign to a close with Reflecting Pool address

US President Donald Trump wrapped up his midterm campaign with a speech at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC. He was seen standing with images of the restoration and a placard showing, "Back, and more beautiful than ever!"

Talking about midterms, Trump called Democratic Party nominees "the most extreme and dangerous slate of candidates in American history".

Nov 3, 2026 04:13 PM IST
US Justice Department announces charges involving 63 individuals for election related crimes

The US Justice Department announced on Tuesday charges against 63 individuals for election-related crimes. The department, in a post on X, wrote, "No room for election fraud. Those participating in illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, and election-related crimes will be prosecuted."

Nov 3, 2026 03:53 PM IST
Americans begin voting as first US midterm polls open in Vermont

The first polls have opened in the US midterm elections in the eastern state of Vermont, where it is just gone past 5.15 am (ET).

Nov 3, 2026 03:49 PM IST
What time do polls open in US midterms?

Voting time for the midterm is decided and set by each state. The first polls are set to open in Vermont at 5 am (ET). Voting in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, and Kentucky will start at 6 am (ET).

Voting in Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York will start between 6 am and 7 am (ET). Meanwhile, voting in Ohio and North Carolina will see voting start at 6:30 am (ET).

In the state of Michigan, voting for the midterms opens at 7 am (ET).

Nov 3, 2026 03:33 PM IST
What do midterm results mean for 2028 presidential race?

Democrats, after losing the 2024 presidential election, have been divided between those reasoning for a more populist economic message and those favouring a centrist approach in order to influence and win back the swing voters.

Both the Democrats and Republicans will claim validation of their respective policies if the moderates and left-wing candidates perform well in Tuesday's polls. It'll set the stage for a crowded and potentially contentious contest for the 2028 presidential nomination, Reuters reported.

Nov 3, 2026 03:32 PM IST
US midterm elections 2026: Voting time in India, key races and when results will be announced

The 2026 US midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, with polls opening and closing at different times across the United States. In India, the first polling stations will close at 5:30 am IST on Wednesday, November 4, with results expected to begin coming in as votes are counted.

Americans will vote for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships, deciding whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Democrats win back one or both chambers during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term.

Read full story here

Nov 3, 2026 03:10 PM IST
US midterms 2026: Why low turnout among young, Black and Hispanic voters could hurt Democrats

One of the most significant factors in the midterms will be the turnout by the parties' core supporters. Opinion polls have shown that Democrats are significantly more enthusiastic than Republicans while heading into the polls.

A Reuters report, quoting strategists, stated that Democratic constituencies that include young, Black and Hispanic voters have historically turned out in lesser numbers during the midterm election.

Hopes of Democrats to wrest control of Congress could be hit if turnout among these groups falls short, the report stated. It added that these groups have had skepticism toward both Republicans and Democrats over the cost of living.

Nov 3, 2026 03:04 PM IST
What will Trump do if Democrats win Congress? His 2020 election response raises questions

One of the highlights of Election Day in the United States would be how President Donald Trump responds to the midterm outcome, especially if the Republican Party loses control of Congress.

During the 2020 presidential election, Trump called for the counting of the votes to halt and declared victory in the race. He eventually lost the election to Democrat Joe Biden and falsely claimed that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him.

In 2026, the Trump administration sought voter data and launched a probe into noncitizen voting. The Justice Department also sued Democrat-led California over alleged noncitizen ballots.

Nov 3, 2026 02:52 PM IST
US midterms 2026: Why vote counting could trigger disputes and delay results

The Federal Election Commission officials have said that during vote counting in midterm elections, close races can trigger debate over ballot counting, voter eligibility, and certification. Results could be delayed and even lead to litigation if there are long queues, challenges by partisan poll watchers, and machine malfunctions.

Trump-led Department of Justice is planning to deploy nearly 1,000 monitors across the United States on Election Day, which is three times the number utilised in the last midterms. Several states won't be able to finalise the results on election night, which could pave the way for more disputes, Reuters reported.

Nov 3, 2026 02:45 PM IST
Races that will decide control of US Congress

Democrats are expected to wrest control of the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority of 218-214, but the Senate battle remains highly competitive. If the Republicans are able to flip the polls and swing the midterms, it could reinforce Trump's grip on the party.

Among the races that could determine control of the US Congress are:

Florida
Virginia
Ohio
Iowa
Alaska
Kansas
Texas
Nov 3, 2026 02:39 PM IST
US midterms 2026: Key things to watch as American voters decide control of Congress

The showdown has arrived, and Americans will head to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s term.

The outcome of the polls will serve as the first nationwide litmus test on Trump’s presidency, highlighting whether American voters would want to check the powers of the Republican president by handing the controlling powers of Congress to Democrats or are willing to accept the GOP’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) narrative amid reports of frustrations over the cost of living and the US-Israel war with Iran.

The midterm election results could also redefine the debates within the Republicans and Democrats for the 2028 presidential race over which messages and policies resonate more with the voters. Democrats require a net gain of four seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives to wrest control of Congress from the Trump-led GOP. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority as of now.

Read full story here

Nov 3, 2026 01:49 PM IST
Tight race for US Senate as pollsters show narrow margin in Texas, Iowa, Kansas and Ohio

The US midterm elections, for which the voting is underway, will decide whether US President Donald Trump maintains a Republican-controlled Congress for the final two years of his administration or faces a Democratic majority. Pollsters have predicted that the outcomes could prove strongly unfavourable for the Republican Party. The voting was held on all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships.

According to pollsters, like the American Statistician Nate Silver and the FLIPR 2026, there is a fierce competition in the state of Texas, Iowa and Kansas.

In the Texas Senate race, Democratic candidate James Talarico holds a 3.3-point lead at 49.8 per cent against Republican candidate Ken Paxton, who stands at 46.5 per cent. In Iowa Senate race, Democratic candidate Josh Turek maintains a narrow lead at 47.7 per cent over Republican candidate Ashley Hinson at 46.7 per cent. In Kansas Senate race, Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton leads Republican candidate Roger Marshall by 4.0 points, polling at 49.9 per cent against 45.8 per cent. In Ohio Senate race, Democrat Sherrod Brown is leading at 48.4 per cent compared to Republican candidate Jon Husted's 45.4 per cent.

Nov 3, 2026 01:22 PM IST
US judge blocks Trump administration from pressuring states over noncitizen voting

A US federal judge has rejected a request by Democrats to prohibit the Trump administration from coercing states into screening incoming ballots.

James E Boasberg of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, while examining Trump administration's last-minute push to try to disqualify voters in a handful of Democratic-led states, wrote that states like California that were targeted had already largely succeeded in rebuffing the federal government, The New York Times reported.

Nov 3, 2026 12:37 PM IST
Democrats likely to bag Texas and Michigan Senate in Senate race

As the election concludes, top projectors have predicted victory for the Democratic Party in Texas and Michigan Senate election, according to CNN.

Nov 3, 2026 12:28 PM IST
Iran-US deal still out of reach: Senior Iranian official

Iran and the United States are far from reaching a ⁠deal to end the war in West Asia, a senior Iranian official told ⁠Reuters on Tuesday. He added that Iran would not accept Washington's "excessive demands". The remarks come ⁠at ⁠a time of ⁠heightened ‌diplomatic efforts, with Qatar ‌acting as a key ‌intermediary, to prevent a potential return to active conflict ⁠after the midterms.

Nov 3, 2026 12:06 PM IST
US midterms 2026: 5 key things to watch as American voters decide control of Congress

The showdown has arrived, and Americans will head to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s term. The outcome of the polls will serve as the first nationwide litmus test on Trump’s presidency, highlighting whether American voters would want to check the powers of the Republican president by handing the controlling powers of Congress to Democrats or are willing to accept the GOP’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) narrative amid reports of frustrations over the cost of living and the US-Israel war with Iran.

Nov 3, 2026 11:36 AM IST
Former RNC chair praises Stevens

In a post on X, Ronna McDaniel, former chair of the Republican National Committee, praised Michigan Democratic Representative Haley Stevens for her latest statement explaining why she endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the state’s US Senate race.

Nov 3, 2026 10:47 AM IST
Judge blocks Trump administration from pressuring states over noncitizen voting

A US judge on Monday temporarily barred the Trump administration from moving ahead with a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting, but that critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringing on states' authority over elections.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan barred the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security from sending states lists of registered voters the administration says may not be citizens, and from asking state election officials to separate out those voters' ballots or not count them until citizenship is ⁠proven.

The ruling marks the latest in a series of legal setbacks for President Donald Trump's efforts to assert federal control over election administration ahead of the November 3 midterms. Trump's fellow Republicans are battling to retain majorities in both houses of Congress.

Nov 3, 2026 10:28 AM IST
Tensions rise as midterm campaign ends with control of Congress at stake

Congressional candidates and President Donald Trump made their final arguments to US voters on Monday, the eve of the midterm elections, with tensions running high in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed aims to become the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

California was also in the spotlight after the Supreme Court swiftly quashed an attempt by Trump's Justice Department to intervene and block vote counting from alleged non-US citizens.

With control of the US Congress at stake for his final two years in office, Trump devoted his last major speech before voting day to touting renovations of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, one of the Washington public works projects he has made a priority since returning to the White House.

Nov 3, 2026 09:56 AM IST
US might go after 'Pickaxe' mountain in Iran, Trump says

That is the end of our coverage on the eve of the US midterm elections. More than 50 million Americans have already voted early, and millions more will go to the polls when they open on Tuesday. The US Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s last-minute effort to set aside thousands of ballots in California, which the administration said were sent to non-citizens. Candidates from both parties made their final pitches at rallies in competitive states, including Texas, Michigan and Iowa.

Iran: The US military carried out limited defensive strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, three US officials told CBS News. Trump said the US could target “Pickaxe” mountain in Iran.
Trump’s final speech: He gave his last campaign speech at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC. He said “we gave this a strong shot”.

Nov 3, 2026 08:33 AM IST
Interactive | US midterm elections 2026: Voting time in India, key races and when results will be announced

US midterm elections 2026: The 2026 US midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, with polls opening and closing at different times across the United States. In India, the first polling stations will close at 5:30 am IST on Wednesday, November 4, with results expected to begin coming in as votes are counted.

Read the full story here.

Nov 3, 2026 07:43 AM IST
Candidates in heated Michigan US Senate race hold final rallies

Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed are making their final pitches to supporters tonight in Michigan, ahead of Tuesday’s midterms.

The race for the US Senate has garnered nationwide attention, after Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed the Rogers campaign and over allegations of Islamophobia against El-Sayed by the Republicans.

Nov 3, 2026 07:06 AM IST
Polling stations open in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

In Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, both US territories, it is election day and polls are open.

Both territories are on Chamorro Standard Time, a time zone that is currently 15 hours ahead of US Eastern Time.

The US has a major military presence in Guam, with about 24,000 military personnel and their family members on the island, according to Military OneSource, a Pentagon website.

Nov 3, 2026 06:47 AM IST
US midterm elections 2026: Voting time in India, key races and when results will be announced

Nov 3, 2026 06:00 AM IST
Tensions rise as midterm campaign ends with control of Congress at stake

Congressional candidates made their final arguments to US voters on Monday, the eve of the midterm elections, with tensions running high in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed aims to become the first Muslim elected to the Senate, and in California, where the Supreme Court quashed an attempt by President Donald Trump's Justice Department to intervene.

Nov 3, 2026 05:58 AM IST
A one-sentence rejection

The US Supreme Court has not said why it turned down the Trump administration’s request to set aside thousands of California ballots.

The court announced its decision in an order of one sentence. It said the request for an injunction, which had been sent to Justice Elena Kagan and passed by her to the full court, was denied.

The US Justice Department filed the request only hours before the ruling, on the eve of the midterm elections. It was a last attempt to separate the disputed ballots.

Nov 3, 2026 05:20 AM IST
'It could happen!': Trump floats possible Iran deal on midterms eve

Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both spoken in the past few hours about the US-Iran war, which began in February and has pushed oil prices up sharply. Both said a deal may be near. Fuel costs and the wider cost of living are among the main worries for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Key points:

In a post on Truth Social, he said oil prices were “DROPPING LIKE A ROCK”. He added that Iran wants a settlement “as soon as possible” and that “it could happen”.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, he said he and the president both feel “pretty good” about the chance of a negotiated settlement.
Nov 3, 2026 05:11 AM IST
Ossoff slams Trump over Iran war in final midterms push

Jon Ossoff, who is running for re-election as a Democratic US senator from Georgia, has slammed the US war on Iran during a campaign speech in Decatur, Georgia.

“They have lied us into yet another war in the Middle East”, Ossoff said, adding that there were “26 hours remaining for us to change the course of American history”, referring to the 7 pm (00:00 GMT) deadline for the end of polling in Tuesday’s midterms in the state.

Nov 3, 2026 05:10 AM IST
Trump attacks El-Sayed during stump speech in Iowa

Speaking in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump repeatedly discussed Michigan's Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He told the crowd that Congress would need to install a "special metal detector" for him.

Trump has repeatedly attacked El-Sayed for his Muslim faith and consistently refers to him as a "jihadist."

“We’ll have to put him through metal detectors to sit. He’ll be -- we’ll have 100 senators, and most of them can go direct. We’re going to have to get a special metal detector for Abdul,” Trump said.

Nov 3, 2026 05:09 AM IST
What you need to know about Trump's request to sideline California ballots

The US Supreme Court has turned down Trump’s request to separate California ballots, a day before the US midterm elections. It acted fast, rejecting the Trump administration’s plea only hours after it was filed. The administration went to the top court after losing in lower courts, which is an unusual step on the eve of an election.

Here’s the background:

Last month, the US Justice Department said about 20,000 “likely” noncitizens were on California’s voter rolls. It asked a federal judge to stop those votes from being counted unless their citizenship was checked.
California officials rejected that figure and said the administration had no power to demand that the votes be left out. Lower courts, including an appeals court on two occasions, ruled against the administration.
By declining to hear the case, the Supreme Court leaves the lower court rulings in place. This in effect ends the administration’s emergency bid to disqualify the ballots.
Nov 3, 2026 05:02 AM IST
Supreme Court rejects Trump administration push to set aside thousands of California ballots

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a push for California to set aside thousands of mail ballots from people President Donald Trump's administration claims are noncitizens, a decision that comes on the eve of the pivotal midterm elections.

The high court refused to intervene in a case involving 20,000 people the Republican administration flagged as likely noncitizens on the largely Democratic state's voter rolls.

It was the latest in a flurry of election-related litigation the day before the midterm elections, which will decide control of Congress for the last two years of Trump's second term.

In California, the Trump administration had asked the high court to set aside the challenged ballots until the voters' citizenship status could be verified. But officials there said that the list appeared to be filled with errors and that setting the ballots aside could effectively disenfranchise legal voters.

Nov 3, 2026 05:01 AM IST
Trump continues to sow election doubts as he makes closing arguments to voters

President Donald Trump delivered a grievance-filled stump speech in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, just two days out from the critical midterm elections that will decide the future of his administration's agenda.

Throughout his two-hour-long speech, Trump sought to sow doubt in Tuesday’s elections, calling various states “crooked” and “corrupt” and claiming that Democrats “have to cheat” to win.

“I hope our candidate does well, but they’re totally crooked,” Trump said as he discussed Minnesota. “Minnesota is so corrupt. Maine is very corrupt. California. Forget about it,” he said.

Nov 3, 2026 04:58 AM IST

Hello and welcome. We have started a new live blog. Please stay with us for all the latest updates from the US midterm elections 2026.

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