Voting is underway today across the United States in the midterm elections.

The ruling Republican Party is fighting intensely to retain control of both houses of Congress, while Democrats, bolstered by favorable pre-election polling, are aiming to capture majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Voting will continue from Tuesday morning through Tuesday night, local time. Nearly 55 million voters have already cast their ballots early.

Multiple polls conducted in the lead-up to election day show Democrats holding an edge over Republicans in generic Congressional ballots and candidate support.

Surveys indicate that voter discontent over the economy and the cost of living, negative public sentiment regarding President Donald Trump’s job performance, and elevated voter enthusiasm among Democrats are driving momentum toward the opposition.

According to Al Jazeera, American citizens are casting their votes on Tuesday with the economy, the cost of living, and immigration serving as top voter priorities.

While voters across both parties express deep concern over rising expenses, recent polls highlight stark contrasts in how Democrats and Republicans view the overall economy, President Trump, and key social issues.

An NBC News poll released Sunday revealed that 75 percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the US economy, while 51 percent reported dissatisfaction with their personal financial situation.

Additional polling conducted in October illustrates the key priorities driving voters from each party.

While the economy remains the primary concern for the general electorate, issues like healthcare, immigration, and crime reveal clear partisan divides.

A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center between September 28 and October 4 found that 84 percent of registered voters considered the economy a top issue shaping their vote in the midterms.

Among Republican-leaning voters, 82 percent cited the economy as a top concern, compared to 88 percent among Democratic supporters.

Views diverge significantly on other major issues.

Roughly 85 percent of Democratic voters identified the future of democracy as a critical concern, compared to 69 percent of Republicans. Healthcare was designated a priority by 82 percent of Democrats, versus 53 percent of Republicans.

Immigration remains a higher priority for Republican voters, with 72 percent calling it a critical issue compared to 53 percent of Democrats. Violent crime also registers higher among Republicans, with 64 percent expressing concern compared to 37 percent of Democrats.

A survey conducted September 16–21 by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that 42 percent of registered voters trusted Democrats more to manage healthcare costs, compared to 22 percent who favored Republicans.

Regarding the overall cost of living, 39 percent of respondents expressed more trust in Democrats to address rising expenses, compared to 25 percent for Republicans.

Voters remain sharply divided on President Donald Trump and his economic policies.

The Pew Research Center poll showed that 91 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents believe Trump’s economic policies have made conditions worse.

Among Republican voters, 39 percent stated that Trump’s policies improved the economy, 35 percent felt they worsened conditions, and 25 percent reported little to no impact.

An NBC News poll released on November 1 indicated that 40 percent of registered voters approve of Trump’s overall job performance, while 60 percent disapprove.

While rising consumer prices and living costs concern voters across the political spectrum, Democrats exhibit far more negative views on the overall economic situation.

An October Pew Research poll showed that 36 percent of Republicans rated the US economy as excellent or good, compared to just 9 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters.

However, high costs for daily goods and services remain a widespread anxiety.

Pew Research data shows that 82 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters express concern over food and grocery prices, compared to 62 percent of Republicans.

Concerns over healthcare costs are shared by 80 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of Republicans, while gas and fuel prices worry 81 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of Republicans.

A Fox News poll released October 14 showed that 74 percent of registered voters evaluated the economy negatively, with 60 percent identifying the cost of living as their primary economic concern.

The November 1 NBC News poll found that 53 percent of Republican respondents expressed dissatisfaction with current economic conditions.

Pew Research Center noted that issues such as abortion and gun control policy have become somewhat less central to Democratic voters compared to 2022, while education and energy policies have seen a decline in priority among Republican voters compared to four years ago.

The NBC News survey marked the first time in its 30-year polling history that the proportion of Americans dissatisfied with their personal finances (51%) surpassed those who felt satisfied (49%).

An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted October 19–20 showed that 38 percent of likely voters felt their personal financial situation had deteriorated over the past year.

Forty-four percent said their situation remained unchanged, while 15 percent reported improvements.

Among likely Democratic voters, 51 percent stated their financial situation had worsened, compared to 21 percent among Republicans.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted September 30 to October 5 revealed that 71 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of Republicans felt their household income had failed to keep pace with inflation.

Polls conducted in the final weeks before the election show a preference for Democratic candidates and Democratic control of Congress.

An NBC News poll conducted October 28–30 and published November 1 showed 52 percent of registered voters preferring Democratic control of Congress, compared to 45 percent supporting Republican control.

Similarly, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted October 22–26 found that 53 percent of likely voters planned to vote for or leaned toward the Democratic candidate in their district, compared to 44 percent backing Republican candidates.

The midterm elections determine the balance of power in the US Congress without changing the presidency.

On Tuesday, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election. Gubernatorial elections are also taking place in 36 states.

Citizens across various states are also voting for state legislative members and local offices.

Voting in the United States requires voter registration, with 213.2 million registered voters eligible for this election, of which nearly 55 million have already cast their ballots early.