Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses a campaign rally at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, on November 2, 2024. – AFP
This November 5, US voters will not only decide between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris but will also cast ballots for members of Congress, tens of thousands of state and local officials, and in multiple referendums on contentious issues such as abortion.
Beyond the presidential race, millions of US voters will determine the composition of Congress: both the House of Representatives, where all seats are contested, and the Senate, where one-third of the seats are up for grabs. The House of Representatives comprises 435 members, each representing a Congressional district and serving a two-year term. Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority, making the election outcome a true toss-up.
Thirty-four of the Senate's 100 seats are in play. The Senate includes two senators from each state, serving six-year terms. Democrats currently control the Senate, but Republicans could narrowly flip the chamber.
If one party wins the presidency and both houses of Congress, it would have the power to advance the president's agenda without opposition support. Gubernatorial elections will take place in 11 states, including key races in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Indiana, and Washington.
The governor is the highest executive at the state level, overseeing powers not granted to the federal government. Since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion in 2022, the issue has dominated the political landscape. Democrats are leveraging the debate over reproductive rights to dissuade women voters from supporting Republicans.
Abortion rights will be the focus of referendums in about 10 states. In Nebraska, voters will decide on two conflicting abortion referendums—one banning it after 12 weeks and another allowing it until fetal viability. In numerous states, voters will also decide on various other issues.
For instance, Colorado voters will determine whether to ban 'trophy hunting' of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. Meanwhile, Maine voters will decide whether to change their state flag. Thousands of local offices, including state-level lawmakers, judges, mayors, city council members, county officials, sheriffs, and others, will also be up for election.
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