US midterm elections: the story so far

🧵 The story so far Updated Mon 26 Oct

US midterm elections

In one minute: Americans are choosing people for Congress, the group that helps make their country's laws. These votes happen halfway through a president's four-year term, so they are called midterms. Election Day is 3 November, but many people can vote earlier. Our papers follow what voters are deciding and how voting works.

📍 United States

📅 What happened

26 OctOur papers reported early-voting records in Georgia and Harris County, Texas. Read it
23 OctOur papers reported a rise in early voting in several US states. Read it
21 OctOur reports described record early voting in Harris County, Texas. Read it

Show earlier days (2)

17 OctOur papers explained why votes for Congress matter for the laws a country makes. Read it
12 OctOur papers looked at the questions living costs raised for voters before the midterms. Read it

👥 Who's who

VotersPeople who choose who will represent them.

CongressTwo groups, the House and Senate, that help make US laws.

The main partiesDemocrats and Republicans put forward candidates with different ideas.

Election officialsPeople who organise voting and count ballots under their state’s rules.

❓ Why are they called midterms?

They happen in the middle of a president's four-year term. People choose members of Congress, rather than a president.

❓ Why do some people vote early?

Some states let voters cast a ballot before Election Day, in person or by mail. The options and deadlines depend on where a person lives.

❓ Do lots of early votes tell us who will win?

No. The number of ballots cast is different from the number of votes each candidate receives. Votes still have to be counted.

For grown-ups: sources

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