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US mid-terms: Battle for the Senate as polls open | US mid-terms: Battle for the Senate as polls open |
(35 minutes later) | |
Americans are voting in mid-term elections which will decide who controls the Senate and pave the way for the 2016 race for the White House. | Americans are voting in mid-term elections which will decide who controls the Senate and pave the way for the 2016 race for the White House. |
Polling booths opened in the eastern states at 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT). | |
The Republicans, who already control the House of Representatives, need to gain just six seats to take the Senate. | The Republicans, who already control the House of Representatives, need to gain just six seats to take the Senate. |
Meanwhile the Democrats are battling to stay ahead as President Barack Obama's approval ratings fall to the lowest they have been since he was elected. | Meanwhile the Democrats are battling to stay ahead as President Barack Obama's approval ratings fall to the lowest they have been since he was elected. |
Many analysts predict a Republican victory as Mr Obama's popularity rate has failed to climb much above 40%, despite recent improvements in the economy. | |
"This is a referendum on the president," Republican senator and potential 2016 presidential candidate Rand Paul told NBC's Meet the Press at the weekend. | "This is a referendum on the president," Republican senator and potential 2016 presidential candidate Rand Paul told NBC's Meet the Press at the weekend. |
But Democrats say their proven ability to rally their supporters ahead of elections could still give them the advantage. | |
"Grab everybody you know, get them out to vote, don't stay home, don't let somebody else choose your future for you," Mr Obama said during a campaign rally on Sunday. | |
Without the focus of a presidential campaign, the mid-terms - which are named because they fall in the middle of a presidential term - typically see a low voter turnout. | Without the focus of a presidential campaign, the mid-terms - which are named because they fall in the middle of a presidential term - typically see a low voter turnout. |
They also typically favour the party that is not in power. | They also typically favour the party that is not in power. |
This year, a little over a third of the 100-seat Senate, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 36 out of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices are up for election. | This year, a little over a third of the 100-seat Senate, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 36 out of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices are up for election. |
The most closely watched action will be the races that will determine control of the Senate, the upper chamber of Congress. | |
The BBC's Jane O'Brien in Arlington, Virginia, says a lot of money has been invested in the tightly-fought races, with some estimates suggesting $200m (£125m) was spent alone in the month of October. | |
Everything is to play for and the country is holding its breath, she adds. | |
Analysis: Jon Sopel, North America editor | Analysis: Jon Sopel, North America editor |
I have spoken to Democrats and Republicans and they all said the same thing - they were sick of the partisan posturing, the gridlock, the inability to work together, the dysfunctional relationship between Congress and White House, between legislature and executive. | I have spoken to Democrats and Republicans and they all said the same thing - they were sick of the partisan posturing, the gridlock, the inability to work together, the dysfunctional relationship between Congress and White House, between legislature and executive. |
All of which begs the question - what difference will it make if the Republicans do take control of the Senate? | All of which begs the question - what difference will it make if the Republicans do take control of the Senate? |
Some are predicting that it will be gridlock on steroids. In other words, just like before - only worse. | Some are predicting that it will be gridlock on steroids. In other words, just like before - only worse. |
Others, who've clearly read Voltaire's Candide and based their philosophy on the ever-optimistic Dr Pangloss, think we will go to the sunny uplands of politics. | Others, who've clearly read Voltaire's Candide and based their philosophy on the ever-optimistic Dr Pangloss, think we will go to the sunny uplands of politics. |
Will the US mid-term elections change anything? | Will the US mid-term elections change anything? |
The Democrats currently hold a five-seat majority in the Senate, meaning the Republicans need only to win six seats to take control. | The Democrats currently hold a five-seat majority in the Senate, meaning the Republicans need only to win six seats to take control. |
As the Republicans already have a convincing hold over the lower House of Representatives, a win in the Senate would give them the power to shut down Mr Obama's policies in the last two years of his term. | As the Republicans already have a convincing hold over the lower House of Representatives, a win in the Senate would give them the power to shut down Mr Obama's policies in the last two years of his term. |
Aside from Mr Obama's unpopularity, there is no single issue that dominates this mid-term poll. | Aside from Mr Obama's unpopularity, there is no single issue that dominates this mid-term poll. |
Six Senate races to watch | Six Senate races to watch |
Guide to key Senate races | Guide to key Senate races |
Why vote matters | Why vote matters |
Instead voters will be swayed by a broad variety of concerns including the economy, the environment, immigration, foreign policy, abortion and healthcare. | Instead voters will be swayed by a broad variety of concerns including the economy, the environment, immigration, foreign policy, abortion and healthcare. |
The most competitive Senate races are expected to take place in the states of North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa and Kansas. | The most competitive Senate races are expected to take place in the states of North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa and Kansas. |
Across the board, voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with both parties' inability to co-operate in Congress and the resulting gridlock this has caused. | Across the board, voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with both parties' inability to co-operate in Congress and the resulting gridlock this has caused. |
If the Republicans do win control of the Senate, the day-to-day running of the chamber will become the responsibility of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, should he win his own tough campaign for re-election. | If the Republicans do win control of the Senate, the day-to-day running of the chamber will become the responsibility of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, should he win his own tough campaign for re-election. |
As the country then shifts its focus to the 2016 presidential election, Mr Obama is likely to find it increasingly hard to operate as his term draws to a close, analysts say. | As the country then shifts its focus to the 2016 presidential election, Mr Obama is likely to find it increasingly hard to operate as his term draws to a close, analysts say. |