Mid-term legislative elections are taking place in the United States this Tuesday. As happens every two years, the entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate and many public offices in states, counties and cities, including governors in parts of the country, are up for election.
Legislative elections coincide with presidential elections only once every four years, and this Tuesday’s mid-term presidential election has historically seen lower turnout. The incumbent’s party has tended to lose (in every election since 2002, when George W. Bush was president), and they are often interpreted as a measure of satisfaction with the government.
If the Democratic Party loses its majority in Congress now, President Joe Biden may find it more difficult to govern in the remaining two years of his term.
Both chambers can block the president’s key laws and decide whether to call for votes on key positions, such as Supreme Court justices, if there is a vacancy (due to the resignation or death of a member).
Currently, the Democratic majority in Congress is already slim – especially in the Senate – and polls show a close race this Tuesday. According to FiveThirtyEight, a website specializing in election forecasting models, Democrats and Republicans are tied in the Senate, and Republicans have a clear lead in the House of Representatives.
At this election event, Americans are not only voting to renew Congress. Many states and counties use the opportunity to re-elect governors or mayors and submit changes to state laws for consultation.
Source: El Diario
