The US midterm elections are on — and if Republicans take control of either the Senate or House (which Democrats have held by a very slim margin) it will have a major impact on President Joe Biden's agenda.
Here's your quick catch-up, plus a showcase of the ABC's best midterms content, to get you up to speed.
Who, what, when: 3 quick questions
- What's up for grabs? Only part of the Senate, so 35 seats, but all 435 in the House (Democrats hold a five-seat majority with three seats vacant). Voters in 36 states are also choosing governors, and there are other questions being put to voters on issues like marijuana and abortion
- When are the midterm elections? Over 40 million Americans already cast ballots in early voting, but for the rest, polls open in the morning on November 8 (some from 6am Eastern, which is 10pm AEDT). First polls close around 12 hours later, so 10am AEDT on Wednesday.
- Why are they called "the midterms"? When they're held at the midpoint of a president's term, these elections are called midterms.
Impact on 2024 presidential election
A bad night for Democrats could undermine Mr Biden's rationale for a second term, while sweeping Republican victories could help Mr Trump with another potential White House bid.
Good-government advocates are worried about dozens of election deniers running for state office.
In Nevada, Republican Jim Marchant is running to become the secretary of state, the state's chief elections official. He is head of the America First Secretary of State Coalition, a collection of Trump loyalists who falsely say the 2020 election was plagued by voter fraud.
It's the same in Arizona and Michigan, where fellow coalition members Mark Finchem and Kristina Karamo are running for secretary of state.
Other candidates could use a strong showing to position themselves for the 2024 ticket — Arizona's Republican candidate for governor is a possible Trump running mate, while Florida governor Ron DeSantis, is also considering a 2024 presidential bid, whether Mr Trump runs or not.
What about the results?
As they come in, US news wire service Associated Press will feed them through here:
Some will be called quickly while others could take time — for example in Arizona, officials have 20 days to finalise counts.
Historically, we know the party that occupies the White House (this time, the Democrats) has suffered significant losses in nearly every president’s first midterm election for more than a century.
LIVE UPDATES: Early results emerge as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress
I need more background
Planet America's John Barron can step you through it, from the basics to factors influencing the vote and Mr Trump's role.
"History suggests the Democrats are in real danger of losing their majorities in both the house and senate.
In the 19 midterm elections since World War II, the president's party has improved its share of the House vote just once – and picked up seats just twice.
In the aftermath of 9/11 and the ousting of the Taliban from Afghanistan, George W Bush enjoyed a 63 per cent approval rating and his Republican party picked up six House seats.
Bill Clinton's approval was three points higher in 1998, and the Democrats netted five seats.
But they were the exception."
What's happening with Dr Oz in Pennsylvania?
Remember this TV doctor made famous by Oprah? The ABC's North America bureau chief Jade Macmillan leads this feature, explaining what's happening in the key state.
"In one corner is Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr Oz, a Trump-backed Republican who shot to fame on the Oprah Winfrey Show before hosting his own long-running TV program. Critics paint him as an out-of-touch celebrity with weak ties to Pennsylvania and a questionable business record.
Oz's polished presentation stands in contrast to his opponent John Fetterman, a 2.07-metre former mayor with a bald head and a preference for wearing hoodies on the campaign trail.
The progressive Democrat, who currently serves as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, is criticised by his detractors as being a left-wing radical who is soft on crime."
Can Stacey Abrams beat the Republicans at their own game?
A rematch of enemies, an abortion scandal: Georgia's midterm races have been wild, but the ABC's Joanna Robin steps you through why they're so important.
"Since 2018, Ms Abrams has been hailed as a master strategist, whose years of work registering and turning out Democratic voters helped shift Georgia from red to purple to blue.
She has widely been credited with laying the foundation for President Joe Biden's key victory in the state in the 2020 presidential election.
But recent polls have consistently shown her trailing her rival by around five percentage points.
And a new election law, passed by state Republicans in 2021, could put her strategy — of courting voters at the margins rather than in the centre — to the test."
ABC/AP
