Republicans remain confident the usual pattern will hold and are focusing their campaign message on border security, crime and inflation. Kamala Harris, a Democrat, has cast 26 tie-breaking votes, more than any vice-president since John Calhoun in 1825-32.Ī chart of the current party makeup of the House, and the projection for the midterm races. The Senate is currently evenly split between 50 Democrats (including independents Angus King and Bernie Sanders, who caucus, or align, with Democrats) and 50 Republicans. House members serve for two years, and senators – whose terms are staggered – for six.Įach state is represented by two senators, making a total of 100. The Senate and House make up the upper and lower chambers of Congress, which is the legislative branch of the federal government and responsible for making laws. One hundred and twenty-nine ballot measures in 36 states including laws on abortion in California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont. Numerous city mayorships and local officials. Thirty-six state governorships, and three US territory governorships.

This is made up of the standard 34 seats plus a special election to fill the four years remaining in the term of retiring senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma. Thirty-five seats in the 100-member Senate. The midterms typically draw a lower turnout than the race for the White House but the stakes are always high and this November will be no exception.Īll 435 seats in the House of Representatives. The constitution stipulates that every member of the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate run for office halfway between presidential elections. But his name will not be on the ballot and other factors can come into play such as specific candidates, local dynamics or national issues. Indeed, this year’s midterms on 8 November will be voters’ first opportunity to render a national verdict on the presidency of Joe Biden. They are often regarded by pundits as a referendum on the incumbent president.

“Midterms” is therefore an apt name because they take place halfway through a president’s term of office.

Who are we voting for november 2018