With polls in the US midterms now closed across the country, the Republicans are still favoured to take control of the House of Representatives, but a predicted "red wave" appears less likely.
Look back on Wednesday's updates below.
Key events
Live updates
By Bridget Judd
Stay up to date with the latest results from the US midterm elections
This is where we'll have to leave the live blog for this evening, but thanks for following along (and a big thanks to the ABC's Michael Rowland for jumping in throughout the day to tackle your election questions).
At the time of typing...
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Neither party has yet secured enough seats for a majority in the Senate or the House
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Republicans are currently ahead in the House, with 193 seats to the Democrats' 166
We'll be back tomorrow with the news while you snoozed, but you can stay up to date with the latest results right here.
You can also catch up on Wednesday's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest news.
By Bridget Judd
US Midterms 2022: What we know — and still don't know — after a surprising election day
What was expected to be a red tsunami — wiping out Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate — is looking more like choppy seas for incumbent party, which was hoping to hold on to its razor-thin majorities.
- By the end of election night, Republicans were on track to take back control of the lower house, but Democrats held on to several competitive districts, avoiding the bloodbath pundits and polls had predicted.
- Closely watched swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, which may decide the balance of the Senate, could still take several days to finalise their counts.
Read the full story by the ABC's Joanna Robin and Rebecca Armitage.
By Lucy Sweeney
What would holding onto the Senate mean for the Democrats?
American political scientist Larry Sabato says it will make a great deal of difference — even if it remains a 50:50 split.
"Suppose there's a vacancy on the Supreme Court. If the Republicans gain even a one-vote majority, there's a good chance that seat will be left open for two years.
"If the Democrats are in charge — even if it's 50:50 — there's a pretty good chance Biden could find somebody that all of them could rally behind.
"Remember the Senate confirms all cabinet nominees and all of the other very significant nominations, like ambassadors. If the Republicans control the Senate, many of those nominees will never see the light of day.
"If the Democrats have control, the vast majority will be approved."
Sabato says Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republicans in Florida have been big winners in the midterms.
"Ron DeSantis is a giant winner because he won in a blowout.
"And it wasn't just him — all of the key Republican candidates, top to bottom of the ballot, won in Florida. Florida is no longer a competitive state.
"They actually carried Miami Dade, which is the most heavily Democratic part of the state. Hillary Clinton won it by a mile in 2016 — now the Republicans carry it."
You can watch the full interview with Larry Sabato on Planet America's midterm election special, tonight on ABC News, YouTube and Facebook from 9pm AEDT.
By Bridget Judd
Democrats retain New Hampshire, which strategists had targeted as ripe for flipping
Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan has won a second term in office in the race for New Hampshire.
Republican strategists had targeted the seat as ripe for flipping.
New Hampshire has a mixed political history, with both Republicans and Democrats capturing the governor’s office in recent years.
Currently, Democrats control both Senate seats and all four seats in the House of Representatives, and New Hampshire has gone Democratic in the last five presidential elections.
But the state legislature and the governor’s office are in Republican hands.
Ms Hassan defeated Donald Bolduc, a retired Army general who has espoused conspiracy theories about vaccines.
By Bridget Judd
Did Donald Trump cost the Republicans a senate seat in Pennsylvania?
Professor Chris Borick thinks so.
He's told the ABC’s Planet America that while Dr Oz owes his Republican nomination to the former president, it’s been both a blessing – and a curse.
“He came out of the primaries – our polling showed him – even when he was closing the gap in this race, with the majority of Pennsylvanians viewing him negatively. That’s a problem.
"In some ways, for the Republicans, it’s a good cycle for them. Pennsylvania is a competitive state – these are opportunities to pick up seats, or in this case to at least hold a seat that has been held by a Republican.
"I think the president’s engagement, in Pennsylvania at least, was more of a liability than an asset.”
By Lucy Sweeney
Update: AP has called Pennsylvania for John Fetterman
We mentioned earlier that Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman had declared victory over his Republican rival Dr Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania.
AP has now called that seat for Fetterman.
He spoke to a crowd of his supporters a short time ago, crediting his "every county, every vote" campaign strategy for the win.
"We jammed them up. We held the line. I never expected that we would turn these red counties blue, but we did what we needed to do and we had that conversation across every one of those counties," he said.
He dedicated his victory to "anyone that ever got knocked down that got back up".
By Bridget Judd
Why has Florida turned so red? It has a bit to do with COVID — and it could be similar in Nevada
Conservative media personality Ford O’Connell says it has to do with the COVID lockdowns – and Florida was one of the first states to open.
“A lot of people in Florida depend on tourism. So those governors who opened up early, whose states depend on tourism, we’re generally rewarded.
"We’re probably going to see the same thing in Nevada with a Republican, and a Democrat in Colorado.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is known in conservative circles as America’s governor because of the way he pushed back on the medical community and media during COVID.
According to O'Connell, who was a Trump White House and Campaign Surrogate during the 2020 election, the next Republican presidential nominee will be from Florida.
"And I think the only question is whether it’s going to be Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis," he says.
"Ron DeSantis’ victory is so big right now – I don’t think he wants to take away from that. And if you’re going to take on Donald Trump, I don’t think you can do that on a moment’s whim, because Donald Trump’s been preparing for this for two years."
You can watch the full interview with Ford O’Connell on Planet America’s midterm election special live on ABC News, YouTube and Facebook from 9pm AEDT.
By Lucy Sweeney
Democrat governor Gretchen Whitmer re-elected in Michigan
Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer has been re-elected in her race against the Republican, Trump-backed conservative commentator Tudor Dixon.
Whitmer made protecting abortion access in Michigan a central theme of her re-election campaign, having filed a number of law suits to block a trigger ban from coming into effect.
Dixon supports a near-total ban on abortion, including for child victims of rape and incest.
The voters of Michigan were also casting their ballots today on a measure to protect reproductive freedom in the state constitution. With just over 60 per cent of votes counted, AP reports a majority voted Yes.
Earlier today Whitmer told reporters "the prospect of leading this state for four more years is a privilege which we are incredibly grateful and excited about".
By Lucy Sweeney
Will the Georgia Senate race go to a run-off?
It’s looking very likely, according to Planet America’s John Barron.
He spoke with Tia Mitchell, AJC Washington correspondent who covers politics from a Georgia perspective.
"I don't think they're going to be happy about that," she said.
"If the race goes to a run off — it's still too early to say that for sure — there won't be any other election in the nation except for Georgia with national attention.
"That means even more ads, even more money, even more resources pouring into the state.
"And that's going to mean voters in Georgia being inundated."
Interestingly, polls show that some voters for Republican Brian Kemp in the race for governor are actually voting for Democrat Raphael Warnock in the Senate race — instead of Republican Herschel Walker.
Mitchell says the vote split comes down to "a candidate quality issue".
"It tells us that when it comes to Herschel Walker, he was not considered a strong candidate.
"The vast majority of Republicans still supported Herschel Walker, but he struggled to get those moderates.
"He came in very weak. He didn't have political experience, he didn't have much beyond popularity and name recognition."
By Bridget Judd
One of America's oldest sitting senators will turn 95 before his next term expires
Republican Chuck Grassley, 89, who would turn 95 four months before his next term expires, will be among the oldest sitting senators in the chamber’s history, according to the Associated Press.
Republican Strom Thurmond of South Carolina retired at age 100 in 2003.
Mr Grassley will be the Senate’s oldest Republican and second oldest member behind California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is three months older than the Iowa politician.
By Lucy Sweeney
Democrat John Fetterman claims victory over Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania Senate race
Democrat John Fetterman has claimed victory is his bid for the Pennsylvania Senate seat.
He was up against TV physician Dr Mehmet Oz, who was elevated by Donald Trump during the campaign.
The Associated Press hasn't quite called this race yet, but several US news outlets have declared it for Fetterman.
The 2.07-metre former mayor is a progressive Democrat who currently serves as Pennsylvania's lieutenant-governor.
He had been heavily criticised by as being a left-wing radical who is soft on crime.
They also questioned his fitness for office as he recovers from a stroke experienced less than six months ago.
By Lucy Sweeney
What's the state of play?
It's past midnight on the eastern seabord, so let's recap where things are at.
- Neither party has yet secured enough seats for a majority in the Senate or the House
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Republicans are currently ahead in the House, with 184 seats to the Democrats' 145
The balance of power in the Senate looks set to hinge on key races in Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada:
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AP has called Ohio for Republican JD Vance
- AP still has Pennsylvania as too close to call, but Democrat John Fetterman has delcared victory over Republican Mehmet Oz
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Georgia is still incredibly close, and may go to a run-off election if neither candidate is able to secure 50 per cent of the vote
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Arizona also looks close, with Democrat Mark Kelly ahead of Republican Blake Masters. Republicans have indicated they have concerns about how voting went in the state's biggest county
- There are still a lot of votes to be counted in Nevada, where Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto is currently leading Republican Adam Laxalt
By Bridget Judd
With the rise of Ron DeSantis, a 'Titanic struggle' awaits Donald Trump in 2024
William Galston from the Brookings Institute says there's likely to be a "titanic struggle" awaiting Donald Trump in 2024, with the rise of Ron DeSantis in Florida.
By Bridget Judd
Craig Greenberg wins Louisville mayor's race after surviving shooting earlier this year
Democrat Craig Greenberg, a businessman and political newcomer, has defeated Republican Bill Dieruf, the mayor of a small city incorporated inside the boundaries of Louisville's Metro area.
Mr Greenberg escaped the attempt on his life earlier this year, but a bullet grazed his sweater when a man opened fire at his campaign office.
A local social justice activist was charged in the shooting and remains in federal custody. He has been charged with attempted murder.
In a victory speech, Mr Greenberg alluded to the shooting while thanking his campaign team.
“We as a team have been through so much together,” Mr Greenberg said.
“Far more than most campaign teams ever want to go through together. To each of you, thank you for what you’ve given every day to this campaign.”
By Lucy Sweeney
'There's been no red wave — it's been a ripple'
Democratic Party pollster and political strategist Celinda Lake has been speaking with ABC's Planet America.
She says the predicted "red wave" has turned out to be more of a ripple.
"We were supposed to lose 43 House seats and 5 Senate seats," she said.
"I think it's looking really good to retain control of the Senate by at least a vote – or at least go into a run-off.
"We're going to lose the House, but we're going to lose it by much less of a margin than 43 seats."
Lake also shared her thoughts on whether Joe Biden should be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate for 2024.
"He's the only one who has ever beaten Donald Trump, and apparently — as of November 15 — we're going to have Donald Trump running again.
"So, I think he's the best person to beat Donald Trump a second time."
You can watch the full interview on Planet America's midterm election special tonight, on ABC News, YouTube and Facebook from 9pm AEDT.
By Bridget Judd
The race for Virginia was one of the most expensive in the country
If you missed it amid the other results, Democratic Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger has defeated Republican challenger Yesli Vega.
The race was one of the most expensive in the country, with over $US20 million in independent expenditures, according to the Associated Press.
In northern Virginia, Democrats have held Jennifer Wexton’s seat, but they lost a seat in another Virginia swing district after Elaine Luria conceded the race to Republican Jen Kiggans.
By Lucy Sweeney
Republican event in Arizona 'does not feel like a victory party'
Here's the latest from North America correspondent Carrington Clarke at Republican HQ in Arizona.
By Bridget Judd
It's a tight race in Georgia, and the question is whether it could lead to a runoff
US Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker are locked in a tight race in Georgia, as election officials continue to count ballots.
The question is whether either contender can win the contest outright or if they will head to a December 6 runoff.
The state’s quirky election law means today could be just round one.
Georgia requires a majority to win statewide office, and with incomplete returns showing a close race and a third-party candidate on the ballot, it’s possible neither Mr Warnock nor Mr Walker will surpass the 50 per cent threshold.
“I don't come to lose,” Mr Walker, a celebrity athlete turned politician, said during brief remarks to supporters at his election watch party in suburban Atlanta.
Mr Warnock followed shortly before midnight, telling his supporters gathered in downtown Atlanta that he'd expected a close race and would continue watching the tally.
“That's where we are, so y'all just hang in there,” he said. “I'm feeling good.”
By Bridget Judd
Elaine Luria, who sat on the committee investigating the US Capitol riot, has lost her seat
Ms Luria said the results "were not what we wanted".
"The peaceful transition of power is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I congratulate Jen Kiggans on her win and wish her success. I have instructed my team to be as helpful as possible to ensure a smooth transition and continue providing constituent services Coastal Virginians," she said in a tweet.
