Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: on prices, health care, and the Iran war

Today is Election Day, and the polls are open across the country. This midterm election will determine which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. All 435 seats in the U.S. House and 35 seats in the U.S. Senate are on the ballot, along with 36 governorships. The outcome will shape the direction of the government on issues that directly affect daily life, including the cost of living and health care.

According to the Associated Press, this election is being viewed as a referendum on the current administration. Voters are described as struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. Recent polling from AP-NORC shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of President Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and most blame the president for high prices. These economic pressures are central to the debate today.

Democratic figures are framing the day around these financial realities. Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stated that the American people are angry and want change. In Raleigh, North Carolina, voter James Moore, 57, a librarian, described the personal impact of these trends. He said he is paying more taxes, more for his healthcare, and more for everything. This sentiment is driving the Democratic message that a shift in Congress is necessary to address these rising costs.

If Democrats win even one chamber of Congress, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party gains the House majority. He has outlined a 100-day agenda that focuses on the cost of living and oversight of the administration. A strong Democratic performance would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, while potentially complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance.

Republicans are bracing to lose the House but are fighting to hold the Senate. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters emphasized that everything depends on turnout. He said that if Republicans turn out their voters, they will win, which is what they have been planning for. The party has tried to beat the typical midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats, by using redistricting. However, new districts in states like Florida and elsewhere may not vote as they were drawn.

The financial advantage for Republicans is significant. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. At the candidate level, though, Democrats outraised their opponents. Analysis of AdImpact data by the AP shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This included more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more.

Voters have already shown strong engagement. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote from four years ago in many closely watched states. In the Senate, 13 races are considered battlegrounds according to Ballotpedia. Key matchups include Roy Cooper against Michael Whatley in North Carolina and Jon Ossoff against Mike Collins in Georgia. In Maine, the race between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson is seen as competitive due to economic strain and tariffs, according to the AP.

Governor races are also critical, with 36 offices on the ballot. Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades. Named matchups include Keisha Lance Bottoms against Rick Jackson in Georgia and Amy Acton against Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio. The AP calls Texas, Florida, and Iowa competitive governor races. Republicans hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats 24 heading into the election. Each party holds 18 of the offices currently on the ballot.

Administration actions have raised concerns about the integrity of the vote. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, citing risks to eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California officials segregate ballots from people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The Justice Department is threatening to prosecute local election officials, which has led to fears of interference and intimidation among Democrats.

President Trump held dozens of rallies in the lead-up to today, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas. He told the crowd that he really wants them to pretend he is on the ballot. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, although many Republican candidates kept their distance. He has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has filed lawsuits in Alaska and California related to the certification of results.

To vote today, you can find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. ID rules vary by state, so check your specific rules before going. If you are in line when polls close, you are entitled to vote. Poll hours vary by state. For example, in California, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the state largely votes by mail. In New York, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In Florida, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in both Eastern and Central time zones. In North Carolina, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. This is crucial for states that rely heavily on mail voting. Wall Street is also watching the results closely. According to Reuters, the outcome could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The results will decide who controls Congress, and with it, the ability to oversee the administration and address the economic challenges facing the nation.

Today is a chance for voters to make their selections and shape the future of their communities and the country. Whether you are voting in person or by mail, your voice matters. The issues of cost of living, health care, and oversight are at the forefront of this election. As polls close around the country, the nation will wait to see who controls the House and the Senate for the next two years. The outcome will define the balance of power in Washington and influence policy on the issues that matter most to everyday Americans.