Voting opens across the US in midterms seen as a verdict on Trump

Voters across the United States began casting ballots on Tuesday in midterm elections that will decide control of Congress and, with it, the shape of the remainder of Donald Trump's presidency. The contest is being treated by both parties as a referendum on the president and his Republican allies.

Pre-election polling has pointed toward an advantage for the Democrats, though the account gave no seat projections or margins. A Republican loss of one or both chambers would sharply limit what the White House can legislate and would open the administration to congressional scrutiny.

The outcome will also set the terms of the political fight heading into the next presidential cycle, with the parties reading the results as a signal about the coalition they can assemble. The account did not give turnout figures or indicate when results are expected.