Congressional Control Decided Tuesday
Nearly 60 million Americans voted early as all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats went to the ballot.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Americans went to the polls on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the federal government. Tens of millions of voters had already cast their ballots in the weeks leading up to the general election.
All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats were on the ballot. Hundreds of local races also took place simultaneously. The outcome will dictate which party controls Congress and influence President Donald Trump's capacity to pass legislation over the next two years.
Pew Research Center data indicates that roughly 250 million Americans are eligible to vote. Nearly 60 million of them participated through early in-person voting or mail ballots. Officials noted that early voting numbers alone do not predict the final party advantage. Voter registration data often does not align with candidate support, even in states that report party affiliations.
The Justice Department deployed approximately 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states. This marks the department's first effort to monitor elections in every state. The team's duties include ensuring compliance with federal voting rights laws. Specific protections include preventing voter intimidation and guaranteeing access for voters with disabilities.
Polls closed on Tuesday evening. Control of Congress may not be settled until outstanding ballots are counted. Close contests could leave the final tally uncertain beyond election night.
