Key Elections in the U.S.: What to Expect from the Results

Voting for the midterm elections has concluded in most U.S. states, where Americans have been fully re-elected to the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, legislative bodies, and many state governors. The first results are already known, but the outcomes in key states that could determine the fate of this election are still unclear.

Judging by CBS's forecasts, control of the House of Representatives could shift to the Republicans. Currently, both chambers of Congress are controlled by President Joe Biden's Democrats. The Democrats now hold 220 seats in the House, while the Republicans have 212. To secure a majority, a party must have 218 mandates, meaning the Republicans need to gain just six seats in this election to take the initiative.

As for the Senate, early polling suggests roughly equal chances for both Democrats and Republicans. The result of these elections will inevitably have a strong impact on the upcoming two years of Joe Biden's presidency and his policies, including countering Russian aggression in Ukraine.

All 435 members of the House are re-elected every two years. Over the past two years, the Democrats have had a majority in the House. This is typical in a situation where a new president is elected; their party often gains control of both chambers of Congress. However, the Democrats' chances of maintaining their influence in Congress are slim, as the party of the sitting president typically loses midterm elections during their first term. The only exception was in 2002, one year after the September 11 attacks, when President George W. Bush's popularity remained very high.

Any loss of a chamber would complicate President Biden's situation over the next two years, as Republicans attempt to block legislation and push through their own laws, such as aid to Ukraine and the abortion ban.