Democrats hold an eight-point lead among likely voters in the US congressional elections, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll that suggests the party is well placed to regain control of the House of Representatives.
The survey also indicates that the scale of any Democratic gains may be limited. The Senate remains too close to call, while President Donald Trump’s approval rating stands at 40%, despite a slight improvement.
Economic pressure is a significant concern for voters, with one in three Americans reporting financial hardship and four in ten saying their personal finances are deteriorating. Protecting democracy is a particularly important issue for Democrats and independents, while immigration ranks highest among supporters of the Make America Great Again movement.
Many contests are unlikely to be settled on election night, with close races expected to require patience as votes are counted. Democrats are nevertheless considered unlikely to lose the House based on the polling picture.
Trump administration faces ballot challenge
A federal judge is due to hear arguments over the Trump administration’s attempt to force California to set aside ballots cast by people it alleges may not be US citizens. An appeals court declined the administration’s request to intervene in the case the previous night.
Mr Trump has also offered a $1 million reward for information about voter fraud that leads to a conviction. Democrats, election officials and good-governance groups have been preparing for further fraud allegations, which have accompanied every election in which the president has taken part.
The White House says its efforts are intended to protect elections. However, no credible evidence of voter fraud on a scale capable of changing an election result in the United States has ever been found.
Israelis vote in pivotal election
Israelis are voting in an election that will determine whether Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving and far-right prime minister, remains in office. He is being challenged by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who is campaigning on a platform of greater diplomacy and less extremism.
It is the first Israeli election since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Turnout is expected to be high, with some Israelis living abroad having travelled back to vote.
Mr Netanyahu’s supporters say he is the leader best able to protect Israel’s security. Those seeking a change in government blame his administration for security failures and want an investigation into how the attacks happened, something Mr Netanyahu has blocked.
The result will not necessarily identify the next prime minister immediately. The vote count could continue for several days, followed by negotiations between political parties that may last days or weeks before a government is formed.
