All you need to know about US midterm polls

Facebook Inc blocked about 115 user accounts after US&nbsp;authorities tipped it off to suspicious behavior that may be linked to a foreign entity, the company said in a blog post on Monday, hours before US&nbsp;voters head to the polls.

The social network said it needed to do further analysis to decide if the accounts are linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency or another group. The US&nbsp;has accused the Russian government body of meddling in US&nbsp;politics with social media posts meant to spread misinformation and sow discord.

Eighty-five of the removed accounts were posting in English on Facebook's Instagram service, and 30 more were on Facebook and associated with pages in French and Russian, the post said.

Some accounts "were focused on celebrities" and others on "political debate," it added.

The tip came from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Sunday night, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, wrote in the post.

The company announced its actions earlier in its investigation than typical "given that we are only one day away from important elections in the US," he added.

This year's contest has been portrayed as crucial by both Republicans and Democrats because both chambers of Congress, and the accompanying ability to pass or reject President Donald Trump's agenda, are up for grabs.

"Americans should be aware that foreign actors, and Russia in particular, continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," including through social media, federal authorities said in a statement on Monday.

Social media companies say they are now more vigilant against foreign and other potential election interference after finding themselves unprepared to tackle such activity in the US&nbsp;presidential election two years ago.

Facebook Inc blocked about 115 user accounts after US authorities tipped it off to suspicious behavior that may be linked to a foreign entity, the company said in a blog post on Monday, hours before US voters head to the polls.

Facebook Inc blocked about 115 user accounts after US authorities tipped it off to suspicious behavior that may be linked to a foreign entity, the company said in a blog post on Monday, hours before US voters head to the polls. The social network said it needed to do further analysis to decide if the accounts are linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency or another group. The US has accused the Russian government body of meddling in US politics with social media posts meant to spread misinformation and sow discord. Eighty-five of the removed accounts were posting in English on Facebook's Instagram service, and 30 more were on Facebook and associated with pages in French and Russian, the post said. Some accounts "were focused on celebrities" and others on "political debate," it added. The tip came from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Sunday night, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, wrote in the post. The company announced its actions earlier in its investigation than typical "given that we are only one day away from important elections in the US," he added. This year's contest has been portrayed as crucial by both Republicans and Democrats because both chambers of Congress, and the accompanying ability to pass or reject President Donald Trump's agenda, are up for grabs. "Americans should be aware that foreign actors, and Russia in particular, continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," including through social media, federal authorities said in a statement on Monday. Social media companies say they are now more vigilant against foreign and other potential election interference after finding themselves unprepared to tackle such activity in the US presidential election two years ago.

Facebook blocks 115 accounts after FBI tip on eve of US election

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news.

The announcement came days after a new study found that misinformation on social media was spreading at a greater rate than during the run-up to the 2016 presidential vote, which Russia is accused of manipulating through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump, the eventual winner.

"At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation's election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes," said a joint statement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

"But Americans should be aware that foreign actors -- and Russia in particular -- continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," it continued, without specifying whether Moscow was backing Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats.

"They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media, and through other tactics. The American public can mitigate these efforts by remaining informed, reporting suspicious activity and being vigilant consumers of information," it said.

Oxford Internet Institute researchers, in a study published Thursday, said that despite an aggressive crackdown by social media firms, so-called "junk news" is spreading at a greater rate than in 2016 on social media ahead of the US midterm elections.

"We found that the proportion of junk news circulating over social media has increased in the US since 2016, with users sharing higher proportions of junk news than links to professional content over all," the report said.

Twitter meanwhile said Saturday it deleted a "series of accounts" that attempted to share disinformation without giving a number.&nbsp;

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news.

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news. The announcement came days after a new study found that misinformation on social media was spreading at a greater rate than during the run-up to the 2016 presidential vote, which Russia is accused of manipulating through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump, the eventual winner. "At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation's election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes," said a joint statement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray. "But Americans should be aware that foreign actors -- and Russia in particular -- continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," it continued, without specifying whether Moscow was backing Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats. "They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media, and through other tactics. The American public can mitigate these efforts by remaining informed, reporting suspicious activity and being vigilant consumers of information," it said. Oxford Internet Institute researchers, in a study published Thursday, said that despite an aggressive crackdown by social media firms, so-called "junk news" is spreading at a greater rate than in 2016 on social media ahead of the US midterm elections. "We found that the proportion of junk news circulating over social media has increased in the US since 2016, with users sharing higher proportions of junk news than links to professional content over all," the report said. Twitter meanwhile said Saturday it deleted a "series of accounts" that attempted to share disinformation without giving a number.

Before midterms, US warns voters to be wary of Russian fake news

US voters are poised to elect two Muslim women to Congress in the midterm election next week, marking a historic first even as anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric has been on the rise.

Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee, is all but certain to be elected to the US House of Representatives in a heavily-Democratic district in the Midwestern state of Minnesota, where she is the party's nominee.&nbsp;

Rashida Tlaib, a social worker born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents, will win a House seat in a district where she is running unopposed.&nbsp;

The two will be the first Muslim women to serve in the US Congress. They will increase the total number of Muslims in Congress to three.&nbsp;

Congressman Andre Carson, who is Muslim and African American, is likely to win reelection in his safely-Democratic district in the state of Indiana.&nbsp;

The expected electoral milestone is in stark contrast to the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment around the country. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 21 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the first six months of 2018.

- Trump 'a wake-up call' -&nbsp;

Both Tlaib and Omar have positioned themselves as polar opposites of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

They oppose Trump's restrictive immigration policies, support a universal health care system which Republicans oppose, and want to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.&nbsp;

ICE has conducted raids throughout the country, leaving immigrant communities terrified of deportations -- including longtime Iraqi refugees in Michigan.&nbsp;

"The election of Donald Trump was a wake-up call," Colin Christopher of the Islamic Society of North America told AFP.&nbsp;

"Now we're seeing communities that were once absent from public conversations... all of a sudden are really engaged."

The two women are part of a historically diverse crop of candidates -- by race, gender, and sexuality -- challenging Republican incumbents.&nbsp;

They reflect a Trump era in which race and women's rights and empowerment have emerged as flashpoint issues for Democrats, and identity politics are increasingly important.

Polls indicate next week's election will likely hand Democrats control of the lower house of Congress in a rebuke of Trump's administration. The Senate is seen as more likely to stay in Republican majority control.&nbsp;

- Anti-Trump message -&nbsp;

Tlaib was born and raised in Detroit -- the eldest of 14 children. In 2008, she became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature.&nbsp;

The 42-year-old has positioned herself as a champion of the working class and strongly anti-Trump. During the 2016 presidential campaign, she heckled then-candidate Trump during a speech in Detroit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tlaib won the Democratic party's primary election in August in a predominantly African American district.&nbsp;

"Her district does not have many Muslims in it," said Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR's Michigan chapter.&nbsp;

"I don't believe that her ethnic or religious identity has had much of a part to play in her victory nor any opposition against her."

Tlaib has been mindful of the historic nature of her candidacy. During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success.&nbsp;

"It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be," she said. "All the ugliness and the hatred that you hear out there, it's not who we are."

With no Republican opposing Tlaib, she will be elected next week to a two-year term to replace longtime Congressman John Conyers who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health.

- First Somali-American lawmaker -&nbsp;

Ilhan Omar also has forged a progressive political identity. She supports free college education, housing for all, and criminal justice reform.&nbsp;

The hijab-wearing Minnesota state lawmaker's personal identity has played a big role in her campaign. She is the first Somali-American legislator in the US.&nbsp;

Omar fled her native country's civil war at the age of eight, and later immigrated with her family to the US.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She was inspired by politics early on, when accompanying her grandfather to his first election vote.&nbsp;

"I just fell in love with politics and with what it could do," she told Elle magazine in September.&nbsp;

"I decided to run because I was one of many people I knew who really wanted to demonstrate what representative democracies are supposed to be."

In 2016, the 36-year-old won an uncontested seat in the legislature of her Midwestern home state, where there is a sizable Somali population.&nbsp;

Running for a congressional seat in a heavily-Democratic district that includes the city of Minneapolis, she is expected to easily defeat her Republican challenger.&nbsp;

She would replace Keith Ellison, who was the first Muslim elected to Congress in 2006. He gave up his seat to run for the state's attorney general's office.&nbsp;

US voters are poised to elect two Muslim women to Congress in the midterm election next week, marking a historic first even as anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric has been on the rise.

US voters are poised to elect two Muslim women to Congress in the midterm election next week, marking a historic first even as anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric has been on the rise. Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee, is all but certain to be elected to the US House of Representatives in a heavily-Democratic district in the Midwestern state of Minnesota, where she is the party's nominee. Rashida Tlaib, a social worker born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents, will win a House seat in a district where she is running unopposed. The two will be the first Muslim women to serve in the US Congress. They will increase the total number of Muslims in Congress to three. Congressman Andre Carson, who is Muslim and African American, is likely to win reelection in his safely-Democratic district in the state of Indiana. The expected electoral milestone is in stark contrast to the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment around the country. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 21 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the first six months of 2018. - Trump 'a wake-up call' - Both Tlaib and Omar have positioned themselves as polar opposites of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. They oppose Trump's restrictive immigration policies, support a universal health care system which Republicans oppose, and want to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE has conducted raids throughout the country, leaving immigrant communities terrified of deportations -- including longtime Iraqi refugees in Michigan. "The election of Donald Trump was a wake-up call," Colin Christopher of the Islamic Society of North America told AFP. "Now we're seeing communities that were once absent from public conversations... all of a sudden are really engaged." The two women are part of a historically diverse crop of candidates -- by race, gender, and sexuality -- challenging Republican incumbents. They reflect a Trump era in which race and women's rights and empowerment have emerged as flashpoint issues for Democrats, and identity politics are increasingly important. Polls indicate next week's election will likely hand Democrats control of the lower house of Congress in a rebuke of Trump's administration. The Senate is seen as more likely to stay in Republican majority control. - Anti-Trump message - Tlaib was born and raised in Detroit -- the eldest of 14 children. In 2008, she became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature. The 42-year-old has positioned herself as a champion of the working class and strongly anti-Trump. During the 2016 presidential campaign, she heckled then-candidate Trump during a speech in Detroit. Tlaib won the Democratic party's primary election in August in a predominantly African American district. "Her district does not have many Muslims in it," said Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR's Michigan chapter. "I don't believe that her ethnic or religious identity has had much of a part to play in her victory nor any opposition against her." Tlaib has been mindful of the historic nature of her candidacy. During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success. "It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be," she said. "All the ugliness and the hatred that you hear out there, it's not who we are." With no Republican opposing Tlaib, she will be elected next week to a two-year term to replace longtime Congressman John Conyers who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health. - First Somali-American lawmaker - Ilhan Omar also has forged a progressive political identity. She supports free college education, housing for all, and criminal justice reform. The hijab-wearing Minnesota state lawmaker's personal identity has played a big role in her campaign. She is the first Somali-American legislator in the US. Omar fled her native country's civil war at the age of eight, and later immigrated with her family to the US. She was inspired by politics early on, when accompanying her grandfather to his first election vote. "I just fell in love with politics and with what it could do," she told Elle magazine in September. "I decided to run because I was one of many people I knew who really wanted to demonstrate what representative democracies are supposed to be." In 2016, the 36-year-old won an uncontested seat in the legislature of her Midwestern home state, where there is a sizable Somali population. Running for a congressional seat in a heavily-Democratic district that includes the city of Minneapolis, she is expected to easily defeat her Republican challenger. She would replace Keith Ellison, who was the first Muslim elected to Congress in 2006. He gave up his seat to run for the state's attorney general's office.

US midterms: Voters poised to elect 2 Muslim women to Congress

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-faces-of-the-campaign-175817"> immigration</a> and other cultural issues, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/americans-start-voting-in-midterm-verdict-on-donald-trump-rule-175848">Americans began casting votes</a> early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US&nbsp;Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box.

“Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election.

All 435 seats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives, 35 US&nbsp;Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way.

Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration.

Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US&nbsp;Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes.

But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida.

Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race.

In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico.

Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.”

Voter turnout could be the highest for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">midterm election</a> in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes.

Fears of immigrants

During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US&nbsp;border.

A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals.

Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season.

“I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends.

Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character.

“How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency. The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box. “Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election. All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 US Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way. Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration. Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes. But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida. Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race. In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico. Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.” Voter turnout could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes. Fears of immigrants During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border. A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue. But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals. Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season. “I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends. Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens. But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character. “How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

Control of Congress and verdict on Trump at stake as US votes in midterm polls

The United States is geared up to vote in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-matters-most-voters-sound-off-on-us-midterm-elections-175132">upcoming midterm elections</a>. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states. Speaking of the US Senate, 36 out of 100 senators will fight it out this midterm. US Senator from California and the only Indian-American in the Senate, Kamala Harris, has her seat secured this time but has been going big on campaigning for the Democrats.

Rise of Harris

Harris’ campaign strategy and fundraising activities for the Democrats this year have made her increasingly popular, to an extent that she is now being seen as one of the strongest Democrat contenders for the 2020 Presidential polls.

Born on October 20, 1964, in California, Kamala Devi Harris’ journey to the United States Senate has been nothing short of inspiring. Harris’ mother migrated to the States from Madras, India while her father is a Jamaican. Her parents met as activists during the civil rights movement. The African-American cause and the immigration policy have been close to Harris’ agenda.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">Also read:&nbsp;US midterm polls, how they work and what is at stake</a>

Kamala eyes 2020?

Last month Harris headed to South Carolina, a move that fanned her prospects as a possible 2020 contender. The majority of South Carolina primary Democratic electorate is African American. South Carolina has proven critical in Democratic politics; the state played a pivotal role in propelling both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to the 2008 and 2016 presidential nominations, respectively.

In South Carolina, Harris acknowledged the importance of black voters for Democratic politics, at the same time she carefully phrased her message to a wider audience.&nbsp;

"Leaders should be able to see all of the people who we represent and see them equally," she told reporters, later adding regardless of race or geography, "some of the issues are the same issues, because frankly the values are the same, and the challenges are the same for families, especially working families," news agency Associated Press quoted Harris.

On Trump's immigration policy

Harris' take on Trump's immigration policy has been quite critical, during her first town hall earlier this year, she launched a scathing attack on Trump administration's move to separate children from parents at the border calling it an "immoral" act.

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Yesterday I got a tour of an immigration detention facility and visited with the mothers separated from their children. And my heart is broken. These mothers personal stories demonstrate a human rights abuse committed by the United States government. We have to keep fighting. <a href="https://t.co/Oto6oE2xAG">pic.twitter.com/Oto6oE2xAG</a>
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1010609190002483200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come to testify on this inhumane policy," Harris tweeted out in May.

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This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come testify on this inhumane policy.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1000413219499008003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Harris and US Midterm 2018

California's junior senator will not put up a fight for re-election this term, but that hasn't stopped her from campaigning for the Democrats across America.&nbsp;

US media has reported Harris to have raised close to $5 million to help elect Democrats this midterm, adding more sheen to the prospects of her Presidential candidacy.&nbsp;

Former US Vice President Joe Biden has also put his buck on Harris, last month he predicted that the Democrats would win the 40 seats in the House of Representatives, giving them "a slightly better than even" chance of taking the US Senate.

He added that a number of potential Democrats, including Kamala Harris, are seeking nominations and are capable of pursuing "a much more enlightened foreign policy than the President."

"I predict to you the Democrats will win 40 seats in the house. And I predict to you, there is a slightly better than even chance that we win the Senate. I really do think we will win the Senate," Biden was quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Electrifying as Obama?&nbsp;

The US media described Harris' recent Iowa visit as electrifying, stating that the enthusiasm on her arrival in the state had Obama-like energy. Iowa has recently witnessed a flurry of potential 2020 candidates pass through the state. Despite speculations on her 2020 candidature, Harris has remained tight-lipped on the same with no official comment.&nbsp;

Undeniably, Harris has emerged as a prominent Democrat voice on all major issues that rocked the United States this year. Her term as a US Senator will only come to end in 2022 before which she might eye&nbsp;another feat -- the 2020 Presidential run.

The United States is geared up to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states.

The United States is geared up to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states. Speaking of the US Senate, 36 out of 100 senators will fight it out this midterm. US Senator from California and the only Indian-American in the Senate, Kamala Harris, has her seat secured this time but has been going big on campaigning for the Democrats. Rise of Harris Harris’ campaign strategy and fundraising activities for the Democrats this year have made her increasingly popular, to an extent that she is now being seen as one of the strongest Democrat contenders for the 2020 Presidential polls. Born on October 20, 1964, in California, Kamala Devi Harris’ journey to the United States Senate has been nothing short of inspiring. Harris’ mother migrated to the States from Madras, India while her father is a Jamaican. Her parents met as activists during the civil rights movement. The African-American cause and the immigration policy have been close to Harris’ agenda. Also read: US midterm polls, how they work and what is at stake Kamala eyes 2020? Last month Harris headed to South Carolina, a move that fanned her prospects as a possible 2020 contender. The majority of South Carolina primary Democratic electorate is African American. South Carolina has proven critical in Democratic politics; the state played a pivotal role in propelling both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to the 2008 and 2016 presidential nominations, respectively. In South Carolina, Harris acknowledged the importance of black voters for Democratic politics, at the same time she carefully phrased her message to a wider audience. "Leaders should be able to see all of the people who we represent and see them equally," she told reporters, later adding regardless of race or geography, "some of the issues are the same issues, because frankly the values are the same, and the challenges are the same for families, especially working families," news agency Associated Press quoted Harris. On Trump's immigration policy Harris' take on Trump's immigration policy has been quite critical, during her first town hall earlier this year, she launched a scathing attack on Trump administration's move to separate children from parents at the border calling it an "immoral" act. Yesterday I got a tour of an immigration detention facility and visited with the mothers separated from their children. And my heart is broken. These mothers personal stories demonstrate a human rights abuse committed by the United States government. We have to keep fighting. pic.twitter.com/Oto6oE2xAG — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 23, 2018 × "This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come to testify on this inhumane policy," Harris tweeted out in May. This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come testify on this inhumane policy. — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 26, 2018 × Harris and US Midterm 2018 California's junior senator will not put up a fight for re-election this term, but that hasn't stopped her from campaigning for the Democrats across America. US media has reported Harris to have raised close to $5 million to help elect Democrats this midterm, adding more sheen to the prospects of her Presidential candidacy. Former US Vice President Joe Biden has also put his buck on Harris, last month he predicted that the Democrats would win the 40 seats in the House of Representatives, giving them "a slightly better than even" chance of taking the US Senate. He added that a number of potential Democrats, including Kamala Harris, are seeking nominations and are capable of pursuing "a much more enlightened foreign policy than the President." "I predict to you the Democrats will win 40 seats in the house. And I predict to you, there is a slightly better than even chance that we win the Senate. I really do think we will win the Senate," Biden was quoted by news agency Reuters. Electrifying as Obama? The US media described Harris' recent Iowa visit as electrifying, stating that the enthusiasm on her arrival in the state had Obama-like energy. Iowa has recently witnessed a flurry of potential 2020 candidates pass through the state. Despite speculations on her 2020 candidature, Harris has remained tight-lipped on the same with no official comment. Undeniably, Harris has emerged as a prominent Democrat voice on all major issues that rocked the United States this year. Her term as a US Senator will only come to end in 2022 before which she might eye another feat -- the 2020 Presidential run.

Kamala Harris: America's only Indian-American Senator bolsters Democrats' midterm prospects, eyes 2020 ticket

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92.

Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate.

Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it."

"The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants."

Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent.

General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12. The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92. Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate. Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it." "The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants." Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent. General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

US stocks rise as midterm vote gets underway

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake.

As polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his divisive, nativist political agenda over the next two years.

At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country.

For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the midterms could finally see his wings clipped.

According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate.

But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises.

After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper.

Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies -- in three states on Monday alone. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the first two years of his term.

Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans."

Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms.

Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas.

- Hot economy, hot rhetoric -

At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win."

But as he touched down in Indiana for the second leg of his final-day tour Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp.

"We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber.

The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favours the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern.

New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth."

But to the dismay of some Republicans, he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasize a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants.

Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole.

Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans.

Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar."

"He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio.

Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colourful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims.

However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter were charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump.

Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead.&nbsp;

He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States -- in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake.

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake. As polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his divisive, nativist political agenda over the next two years. At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country. For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the midterms could finally see his wings clipped. According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate. But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises. After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper. Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies -- in three states on Monday alone. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the first two years of his term. Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans." Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms. Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas. - Hot economy, hot rhetoric - At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win." But as he touched down in Indiana for the second leg of his final-day tour Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp. "We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber. The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favours the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern. New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth." But to the dismay of some Republicans, he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasize a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants. Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole. Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton. But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans. Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar." "He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio. Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colourful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims. However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter were charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump. Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead. He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States -- in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.

US midterm polls 2018: Americans vote in midterm verdict on Donald Trump rule

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead.

Japan [.T] and Hong Kong had helped Asia overcome another Chinese wobble [.SS], but Europe [.EU] was in the 0.4 per cent red as investors pounced on corporate earnings misses and pre-market caution dragged down Wall Street futures.

The elections mark the first major test of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cuts and hostile trade policies. Polls point to his Republican party losing control of the House of Representatives which could curb some of his policymaking power.

With so much at stake, currency market moves were extremely tight. The dollar hardly moved against the euro, lost ground to Brexit-bound sterling but made some back against the yen as dealers kept their options open.

"It is definitely not the time to buy the dip," said London &amp; Capital's Chief Investment Officer Pau Morilla-Giner, referring to US&nbsp;and globally-focused stock markets and risk assets.

"Everything that could go well for US&nbsp;consumers in the last couple of years has gone well, but now the tide is turning... At the moment you are running out of drivers of growth in the US"

There was plenty for investors to digest from Europe too.

Italian and Spanish stocks and bonds weakened as updated PMI figures confirmed euro zone business growth had fallen to a two-year low last month against the backdrop of trade tensions.

The future output index caused even more concern as it fell to a near four-year low.

"Euro zone companies reported a disappointing start to the fourth quarter," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the data.

Italian politics also played on the nerves too after euro zone finance ministers had called on Rome to change its budget at a meeting late on Monday.

With Italy unlikely to bow to the demands any time soon, it pointed to a further escalation in the damaging feud and pushed Italian borrowing costs up 5-7 basis points on the day. [GVD/EUR]

"Twenty-five countries have entered into the excessive deficit procedure and no-one has ever got a fine, so my gut feeling is that they (Italy) won't get one, just a slap on the wrist," said Lyn Graham-Taylor, strategist at Rabobank.

Oil spill

The uncertainty over the US&nbsp;midterms for US&nbsp;stocks futures was understandable. The S&amp;P 500 has risen 28 per cent since Trump's election in November, 2016, which is more than under any other president in the past 64 years.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares ex-Japan had edged up 0.4 per cent overnight following a positive finish for Wall Street on Monday.

Japan's Nikkei also climbed 1.1 per cent, although weaker Chinese markets and regional technology shares capped the region. [.SS]

Apple suppliers such as Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry were hit by a report that Apple had told its smartphone assemblers to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR. The report had also driven Apple shares 2.8 per cent lower in U.S. trade.

While political gridlock between the White House and Congress could hinder Trump's pro-business agenda and raise concerns about US&nbsp;political instability, some analysts say this may have already been priced in by investors.

The Cboe Skew index, also known as the "black swan" index, hovered not far from its 2-1/2-year low hit on Friday, indicating demand for options that provide protection remains tepid.

A higher skew typically indicates investors are buying more protection on heightened anxiety.

"Unlike the US&nbsp;Presidential election or the UK's Brexit referendum, the upcoming US (midterm) elections are not a binary event," said Yasuo Sakuma, chief investment officer at Libra Investments.

"So it's unlikely to send stocks significantly in one direction, apart from initial quick reactions."

Safe-haven gold was little changed but in oil markets crude prices were down near multi-month lows after the United States allowed eight countries to continue buying oil from Iran temporarily, easing the likelihood of a sharp supply drop.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.5 per cent to $62.80 a barrel, after hitting a seven-month low of $62.52 on Monday.

Brent crude futures dropped 0.6 per cent to $72.74 a barrel, near Friday's 2-1/2-month low of $72.16.

Both oil benchmarks have slid more than 15 per cent since hitting four-year highs in early October.

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead.

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead. Japan [.T] and Hong Kong had helped Asia overcome another Chinese wobble [.SS], but Europe [.EU] was in the 0.4 per cent red as investors pounced on corporate earnings misses and pre-market caution dragged down Wall Street futures. The elections mark the first major test of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cuts and hostile trade policies. Polls point to his Republican party losing control of the House of Representatives which could curb some of his policymaking power. With so much at stake, currency market moves were extremely tight. The dollar hardly moved against the euro, lost ground to Brexit-bound sterling but made some back against the yen as dealers kept their options open. "It is definitely not the time to buy the dip," said London & Capital's Chief Investment Officer Pau Morilla-Giner, referring to US and globally-focused stock markets and risk assets. "Everything that could go well for US consumers in the last couple of years has gone well, but now the tide is turning... At the moment you are running out of drivers of growth in the US" There was plenty for investors to digest from Europe too. Italian and Spanish stocks and bonds weakened as updated PMI figures confirmed euro zone business growth had fallen to a two-year low last month against the backdrop of trade tensions. The future output index caused even more concern as it fell to a near four-year low. "Euro zone companies reported a disappointing start to the fourth quarter," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the data. Italian politics also played on the nerves too after euro zone finance ministers had called on Rome to change its budget at a meeting late on Monday. With Italy unlikely to bow to the demands any time soon, it pointed to a further escalation in the damaging feud and pushed Italian borrowing costs up 5-7 basis points on the day. [GVD/EUR] "Twenty-five countries have entered into the excessive deficit procedure and no-one has ever got a fine, so my gut feeling is that they (Italy) won't get one, just a slap on the wrist," said Lyn Graham-Taylor, strategist at Rabobank. Oil spill The uncertainty over the US midterms for US stocks futures was understandable. The S&P 500 has risen 28 per cent since Trump's election in November, 2016, which is more than under any other president in the past 64 years. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares ex-Japan had edged up 0.4 per cent overnight following a positive finish for Wall Street on Monday. Japan's Nikkei also climbed 1.1 per cent, although weaker Chinese markets and regional technology shares capped the region. [.SS] Apple suppliers such as Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry were hit by a report that Apple had told its smartphone assemblers to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR. The report had also driven Apple shares 2.8 per cent lower in U.S. trade. While political gridlock between the White House and Congress could hinder Trump's pro-business agenda and raise concerns about US political instability, some analysts say this may have already been priced in by investors. The Cboe Skew index, also known as the "black swan" index, hovered not far from its 2-1/2-year low hit on Friday, indicating demand for options that provide protection remains tepid. A higher skew typically indicates investors are buying more protection on heightened anxiety. "Unlike the US Presidential election or the UK's Brexit referendum, the upcoming US (midterm) elections are not a binary event," said Yasuo Sakuma, chief investment officer at Libra Investments. "So it's unlikely to send stocks significantly in one direction, apart from initial quick reactions." Safe-haven gold was little changed but in oil markets crude prices were down near multi-month lows after the United States allowed eight countries to continue buying oil from Iran temporarily, easing the likelihood of a sharp supply drop. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.5 per cent to $62.80 a barrel, after hitting a seven-month low of $62.52 on Monday. Brent crude futures dropped 0.6 per cent to $72.74 a barrel, near Friday's 2-1/2-month low of $72.16. Both oil benchmarks have slid more than 15 per cent since hitting four-year highs in early October.

Global Markets: Stocks, dollar hunker down for US midterm elections

US midterm elections 2018: Key faces of the campaign

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left

Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress.

With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race.

Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family.

Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart

Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality.&nbsp;

A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas.&nbsp;

His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond.

Stacey Abrams &amp; Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers

Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States.

She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point.

Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president.

Martha McSally &amp; Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women

The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states.

With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate.

Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station.

Ron DeSantis &amp; Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists

Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis.

In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again."&nbsp;

With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. &nbsp;

Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker

Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly.

On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan.

Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate

When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP.&nbsp;

But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge. Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress. With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race. Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family. Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality. A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas. His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond. Stacey Abrams & Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States. She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point. Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president. Martha McSally & Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states. With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate. Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station. Ron DeSantis & Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis. In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again." With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly. On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan. Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP. But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

US midterm polls 2018: Key faces of the campaign

In pictures: America goes to polls to decide if it is for or against Trump

By Brendon O'Connor and Dan Dixon

From afar, the US midterm elections might seem to be all about Donald Trump, and there is some truth to this. The man, as has been the case for some years now, is unavoidable.

More than 700 days after the host of The Apprentice was elected to lead the world’s largest military and economic power, this will be the first chance for Americans to express buyer’s remorse at the ballot box by potentially giving the Democrats control of the House (and less likely the Senate) in order to rein in the president.

Trump himself is not up for re-election, though. Voters will be making decisions about local and state representatives, so it would be a mistake to presume the outcome will be entirely dependent on questions of federal leadership.

However, Democrat Tip O’Neill’s famous claim that “all politics is local” is not entirely true here; this election has local, national and international implications.

This is why, once again, non-Americans are taking such an interest in an American election. Many believe that Trump and his Republican Party represent much of what endangers the world.

Who is up for election?

Members of the US House of Representatives serve two-year terms, and senators six-year terms. This means that all 435 members of the House and 35 out of 100 senators (33 plus two empty seats due to resignations) are up for re-election on November 6.

Due to the Democrats’ success in the 2012 election, just nine of those 35 Senate seats are Republican-controlled. So the Democrats’ chance of taking the Senate is slim – around 1-in-7, according to FiveThirtyEight.com – despite the fact Republicans currently hold only a narrow 51-49 majority.

For those outside the US, this may seem remarkable, given the profoundly unethical decisions enacted by the Trump administration, and the parade of misogyny that surrounded Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s recent Senate confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court.

And yet, there are a number of plausible scenarios in which the minority party could actually lose ground.

To forge a path to victory in the Senate, Democrats will need to retain seats in states that Trump won easily in 2016 – North Dakota, Montana and Missouri – as well as in Florida, where incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson faces a tough race against multimillionaire Republican Governor Rick Scott.

They’ll also need to pick up a seat or two in the traditionally Republican states of Arizona, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi (listed in order of likelihood). The fact that Mississippi and Tennessee are even in play for the Democrats is noteworthy because Trump won both in 2016 by over 15 percentage points.

But given the circumstances, the Democrats remain unlikely to win a Senate majority.

A Democratic victory in the House is far more probable, with FiveThirtyEight.com giving the minority party a 6-in-7 chance to take back control.

Because all House seats are up for grabs, this is the contest that many will view as a national referendum on the Trump administration. And the results will be shaped by voter turnout.

Typically, turnout for midterm elections is older and whiter than it is for presidential elections, and this is a demographic that favours Republicans. The Republicans have maintained or taken control of the House in every midterm election since 1994, with the exception of 2006, when President George W. Bush’s popularity had plummeted to the mid-30s due to his mishandling of the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina.

According to recent polling averages, Trump’s approval rating has been hovering at just over 40 per cent.

Why is gerrymandering significant?

This election is consequential for far more than the future of the Trump administration. Republican victories in state legislatures and governors’ races, which occur alongside the national election, will provide another opportunity for the party to consolidate its power through gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering is the underhanded process whereby elected politicians redraw federal and state electorate boundaries to group voters by demographics and improve their chances of success at the ballot box.

These lines are redrawn every 10 years, following a nationwide census. The next census is in 2020, so the lines will next be redrawn in 2021. This year’s midterm election is therefore crucial in determining which party will control each state during the upcoming redistricting process.

Gerrymandering tends to be a tactic of Republicans, who currently hold the majority of seats in 32 of America’s 50 state houses. Furthermore, the task of gerrymandering is more straightforward for Republicans, as Democratic voters are typically packed together in urban centres, while Republicans are usually spread out across states.

In a number of states, Republicans have engineered things so Democrats are sure to win just a few seats with massive majorities, while Republicans are favoured to capture far more by closer margins, for instance, a 55 per cent to 45 per cent majority.

However, there is a catch. In a wave election, as this one may well be, those Republicans who would normally expect to get elected with 55 per cent of the vote could be vulnerable. This may occur in this year’s House races in North Carolina.

What is the effect of voter suppression?

Further impeding the Democrats’ chances is the systematic and widespread strategy of voter suppression, which is typically utilised by Republicans to prevent likely Democrat voters, such as African Americans, from voting.

One particularly alarming example has been happening in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is attempting to become the country’s first female African American governor.

Her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp, also happens to be Georgia’s secretary of state. His office had been strictly enforcing a new law known as “exact match”, under which voter-registration applications are dismissed for absurdly minor discrepancies, such as missing hyphens or slightly mismatched signatures.

A judge recently halted this practice, but over 53,000 registration applications have already been suspended. African Americans comprise 32 per cent of the state’s population and nearly 70 per cent of the rejected applications.

This kind of behaviour is not confined to a few rogue states. Other methods of voter suppression, such as felon disenfranchisement, voter ID laws and reductions in the number of polling booths in African American communities, are routinely used across the country to disproportionately target minority voters.

Even the fact that voting takes place on a Tuesday, rather than a weekend, &nbsp;marginalises people who cannot get off work. These people are likely to be poorer and less likely to be white.

Will Trump be impeached?

As was proven on the evening of November 8, 2016, while polls can show likelihoods, nothing is guaranteed. However, the polls currently suggest that the most likely outcome of these midterms is a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate.

What this would mean for Trump is more frustration. The Democrats would be able to investigate the president’s questionable financial deals, potential fraud related to Trump University and possible links to Russian interference in the 2016 election. They could also push for the release of Trump’s much sought-after tax returns.

It seems likely the House will find grounds to impeach Trump. But, hold your breath – that would be only step one of a lengthy process.

Dismissal of a president requires 67 of 100 Senate votes, a threshold that makes such an event unlikely. Given the president’s propensity for mendacity, it will be intriguing to see whether he is able to avoid any perjury charges that might arise from Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into Russian election interference. But again, such charges are unlikely to lead to his removal from office.

Yet who can say? Whatever the outcome on November 6, there is much about the future of US politics – and the global ramifications – that remains entirely unpredictable. 
 
(Brendon O'Connor is Associate Professor in American Politics at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney; &nbsp;Dan Dixon is PhD Student in English, University of Sydney)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-us-midterm-elections-are-being-billed-as-a-referendum-on-trump-but-its-not-that-simple-105133">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Brendon O'Connor and Dan Dixon From afar, the US midterm elections might seem to be all about Donald Trump, and there is some truth to this. The man, as has been the case for some years now, is unavoidable.

By Brendon O'Connor and Dan Dixon From afar, the US midterm elections might seem to be all about Donald Trump, and there is some truth to this. The man, as has been the case for some years now, is unavoidable. More than 700 days after the host of The Apprentice was elected to lead the world’s largest military and economic power, this will be the first chance for Americans to express buyer’s remorse at the ballot box by potentially giving the Democrats control of the House (and less likely the Senate) in order to rein in the president. Trump himself is not up for re-election, though. Voters will be making decisions about local and state representatives, so it would be a mistake to presume the outcome will be entirely dependent on questions of federal leadership. However, Democrat Tip O’Neill’s famous claim that “all politics is local” is not entirely true here; this election has local, national and international implications. This is why, once again, non-Americans are taking such an interest in an American election. Many believe that Trump and his Republican Party represent much of what endangers the world. Who is up for election? Members of the US House of Representatives serve two-year terms, and senators six-year terms. This means that all 435 members of the House and 35 out of 100 senators (33 plus two empty seats due to resignations) are up for re-election on November 6. Due to the Democrats’ success in the 2012 election, just nine of those 35 Senate seats are Republican-controlled. So the Democrats’ chance of taking the Senate is slim – around 1-in-7, according to FiveThirtyEight.com – despite the fact Republicans currently hold only a narrow 51-49 majority. For those outside the US, this may seem remarkable, given the profoundly unethical decisions enacted by the Trump administration, and the parade of misogyny that surrounded Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s recent Senate confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court. And yet, there are a number of plausible scenarios in which the minority party could actually lose ground. To forge a path to victory in the Senate, Democrats will need to retain seats in states that Trump won easily in 2016 – North Dakota, Montana and Missouri – as well as in Florida, where incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson faces a tough race against multimillionaire Republican Governor Rick Scott. They’ll also need to pick up a seat or two in the traditionally Republican states of Arizona, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi (listed in order of likelihood). The fact that Mississippi and Tennessee are even in play for the Democrats is noteworthy because Trump won both in 2016 by over 15 percentage points. But given the circumstances, the Democrats remain unlikely to win a Senate majority. A Democratic victory in the House is far more probable, with FiveThirtyEight.com giving the minority party a 6-in-7 chance to take back control. Because all House seats are up for grabs, this is the contest that many will view as a national referendum on the Trump administration. And the results will be shaped by voter turnout. Typically, turnout for midterm elections is older and whiter than it is for presidential elections, and this is a demographic that favours Republicans. The Republicans have maintained or taken control of the House in every midterm election since 1994, with the exception of 2006, when President George W. Bush’s popularity had plummeted to the mid-30s due to his mishandling of the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina. According to recent polling averages, Trump’s approval rating has been hovering at just over 40 per cent. Why is gerrymandering significant? This election is consequential for far more than the future of the Trump administration. Republican victories in state legislatures and governors’ races, which occur alongside the national election, will provide another opportunity for the party to consolidate its power through gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is the underhanded process whereby elected politicians redraw federal and state electorate boundaries to group voters by demographics and improve their chances of success at the ballot box. These lines are redrawn every 10 years, following a nationwide census. The next census is in 2020, so the lines will next be redrawn in 2021. This year’s midterm election is therefore crucial in determining which party will control each state during the upcoming redistricting process. Gerrymandering tends to be a tactic of Republicans, who currently hold the majority of seats in 32 of America’s 50 state houses. Furthermore, the task of gerrymandering is more straightforward for Republicans, as Democratic voters are typically packed together in urban centres, while Republicans are usually spread out across states. In a number of states, Republicans have engineered things so Democrats are sure to win just a few seats with massive majorities, while Republicans are favoured to capture far more by closer margins, for instance, a 55 per cent to 45 per cent majority. However, there is a catch. In a wave election, as this one may well be, those Republicans who would normally expect to get elected with 55 per cent of the vote could be vulnerable. This may occur in this year’s House races in North Carolina. What is the effect of voter suppression? Further impeding the Democrats’ chances is the systematic and widespread strategy of voter suppression, which is typically utilised by Republicans to prevent likely Democrat voters, such as African Americans, from voting. One particularly alarming example has been happening in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is attempting to become the country’s first female African American governor. Her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp, also happens to be Georgia’s secretary of state. His office had been strictly enforcing a new law known as “exact match”, under which voter-registration applications are dismissed for absurdly minor discrepancies, such as missing hyphens or slightly mismatched signatures. A judge recently halted this practice, but over 53,000 registration applications have already been suspended. African Americans comprise 32 per cent of the state’s population and nearly 70 per cent of the rejected applications. This kind of behaviour is not confined to a few rogue states. Other methods of voter suppression, such as felon disenfranchisement, voter ID laws and reductions in the number of polling booths in African American communities, are routinely used across the country to disproportionately target minority voters. Even the fact that voting takes place on a Tuesday, rather than a weekend, marginalises people who cannot get off work. These people are likely to be poorer and less likely to be white. Will Trump be impeached? As was proven on the evening of November 8, 2016, while polls can show likelihoods, nothing is guaranteed. However, the polls currently suggest that the most likely outcome of these midterms is a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate. What this would mean for Trump is more frustration. The Democrats would be able to investigate the president’s questionable financial deals, potential fraud related to Trump University and possible links to Russian interference in the 2016 election. They could also push for the release of Trump’s much sought-after tax returns. It seems likely the House will find grounds to impeach Trump. But, hold your breath – that would be only step one of a lengthy process. Dismissal of a president requires 67 of 100 Senate votes, a threshold that makes such an event unlikely. Given the president’s propensity for mendacity, it will be intriguing to see whether he is able to avoid any perjury charges that might arise from Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into Russian election interference. But again, such charges are unlikely to lead to his removal from office. Yet who can say? Whatever the outcome on November 6, there is much about the future of US politics – and the global ramifications – that remains entirely unpredictable. (Brendon O'Connor is Associate Professor in American Politics at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney; Dan Dixon is PhD Student in English, University of Sydney) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US midterms are being billed as a referendum on Trump, but it’s not that simple

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Midterm elections are often seen as a referendum on the president and there is no shortage of opinions this time around about the current occupant of the White House.

Turnout for midterm elections is traditionally lower than in presidential years, but the results could have dramatic implications for the United States, and in particular for Trump's legislative agenda.

Republicans are bracing for a likely loss of seats in the House of Representatives but are favored to hold on to the Senate.

House of Representatives&nbsp;

The House has 435 members with states represented on the basis of population. There are currently 236 Republicans, 193 Democrats and six vacancies.

All seats are contested every two years. The new congressional term begins in January 2019.

Republicans have controlled the House since the conservative Tea Party movement propelled the GOP to a wave election in November 2010.

The speaker of the house is Republican Paul Ryan, who is not seeking reelection from his home state of Wisconsin. Democrat and former speaker Nancy Pelosi serves as House minority leader.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House.

Likely House outcome: Democrats take control.

Senate&nbsp;

The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. It is currently made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats.

With terms of six years, about a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Thirty-five seats are in play in Tuesday's election.

Of the 35 seats up for grabs, 26 are held by Democrats and nine by Republicans.

The Senate majority leader is Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Likely Senate outcome: Republicans hold on to the Senate.

Governor races

Thirty-six of the 50 US states elect governors this year, including about 10 considered toss-ups.

Republicans currently control 29 governorships to 21 for the Democrats.

Two races which are of particular interest are Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state, and Florida, where Democrat Andrew Gillum is locked in a bitter battle with Republican and Trump acolyte Ron DeSantis.

Ballot measures&nbsp;

In addition to electing their lawmakers, Americans in several states will vote on ballot measures.

Among the notable initiatives:

- Five states are considering the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana.

- Minimum wage increases are on the ballot in two states.

- Access to abortion and abortion funding is on the ballot in three states.&nbsp;

The stakes&nbsp;

Besides stymieing the Trump agenda, a Democratic victory in the House could allow Democrats to launch multiple committee investigations of the Trump administration and possibly even impeachment proceedings.

Voter turnout&nbsp;

Around 37 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2014 midterm elections, down from 42 percent in 2010.

More than 60 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2016 vote, when the presidential race was on the ballot.

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Midterm elections are often seen as a referendum on the president and there is no shortage of opinions this time around about the current occupant of the White House. Turnout for midterm elections is traditionally lower than in presidential years, but the results could have dramatic implications for the United States, and in particular for Trump's legislative agenda. Republicans are bracing for a likely loss of seats in the House of Representatives but are favored to hold on to the Senate. House of Representatives The House has 435 members with states represented on the basis of population. There are currently 236 Republicans, 193 Democrats and six vacancies. All seats are contested every two years. The new congressional term begins in January 2019. Republicans have controlled the House since the conservative Tea Party movement propelled the GOP to a wave election in November 2010. The speaker of the house is Republican Paul Ryan, who is not seeking reelection from his home state of Wisconsin. Democrat and former speaker Nancy Pelosi serves as House minority leader. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House. Likely House outcome: Democrats take control. Senate The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. It is currently made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats. With terms of six years, about a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Thirty-five seats are in play in Tuesday's election. Of the 35 seats up for grabs, 26 are held by Democrats and nine by Republicans. The Senate majority leader is Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Likely Senate outcome: Republicans hold on to the Senate. Governor races Thirty-six of the 50 US states elect governors this year, including about 10 considered toss-ups. Republicans currently control 29 governorships to 21 for the Democrats. Two races which are of particular interest are Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state, and Florida, where Democrat Andrew Gillum is locked in a bitter battle with Republican and Trump acolyte Ron DeSantis. Ballot measures In addition to electing their lawmakers, Americans in several states will vote on ballot measures. Among the notable initiatives: - Five states are considering the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana. - Minimum wage increases are on the ballot in two states. - Access to abortion and abortion funding is on the ballot in three states. The stakes Besides stymieing the Trump agenda, a Democratic victory in the House could allow Democrats to launch multiple committee investigations of the Trump administration and possibly even impeachment proceedings. Voter turnout Around 37 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2014 midterm elections, down from 42 percent in 2010. More than 60 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2016 vote, when the presidential race was on the ballot.

What's at stake on November 6 in US midterm elections

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/midterm-elections-us-senate-poll-in-new-jersey-crucial-for-democrats-175675">midterm elections in the United States</a>, scheduled for November 6, will decide the future powers of president Donald Trump and the possible impact of his policies on the world.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/whats-at-stake-on-november-6-in-us-midterm-elections-175532">The referendum</a> will give an idea of the general perception that the people have developed for Trump over the period of his presidency giving a real picture of Trump's popularity.

The change of power in the legislature will have a further impact on how Trump administrative functions in the remaining tenure.

If they make major strides, the Democrats will have the right to launch new policies, though a presidential approval is required on the bills for them to become a law.

The victory of the rival Democratic party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate might put a halt on the various projects launched by the Republicans.

For instance, the revamp of the tax system and the rollback of Obamacare will not be possible if the Democrats come back to power after the midterm polls.

The Democratic Party may even open an investigation into various policies of the Trump administration.

A report in CNN cited sources as familiar with the President as saying that Trump is "genuinely concerned" about the outcome of elections.

In an extreme situation, the Democrats may also initiate impeachment against Trump.

The elections also play an important role for countries that have engaged with Trump during the recent development.

Earlier, the elections did hold much importance for China, however, Trump's recent trade policies have made Beijing curious about the result of the congressional elections.

A media report cited an expert on US studies in China as saying that the people of the country were expecting a change in the US-China relations after the elections.

China hopes that the US may liberalise some of its policies against China after Trump faces a political setback. US and China have been launching escalating import tariffs at each other since March.

The victory of Democrats may also influence Trump's policies with North Korea. The leader of the nuclear-armed North Kim Jong Un held an unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June where the two leaders aimed at denuclearizing the North Korea region.

The midterm elections in the United States, scheduled for November 6, will decide the future powers of president Donald Trump and the possible impact of his policies on the world.

The midterm elections in the United States, scheduled for November 6, will decide the future powers of president Donald Trump and the possible impact of his policies on the world. The referendum will give an idea of the general perception that the people have developed for Trump over the period of his presidency giving a real picture of Trump's popularity. The change of power in the legislature will have a further impact on how Trump administrative functions in the remaining tenure. If they make major strides, the Democrats will have the right to launch new policies, though a presidential approval is required on the bills for them to become a law. The victory of the rival Democratic party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate might put a halt on the various projects launched by the Republicans. For instance, the revamp of the tax system and the rollback of Obamacare will not be possible if the Democrats come back to power after the midterm polls. The Democratic Party may even open an investigation into various policies of the Trump administration. A report in CNN cited sources as familiar with the President as saying that Trump is "genuinely concerned" about the outcome of elections. In an extreme situation, the Democrats may also initiate impeachment against Trump. The elections also play an important role for countries that have engaged with Trump during the recent development. Earlier, the elections did hold much importance for China, however, Trump's recent trade policies have made Beijing curious about the result of the congressional elections. A media report cited an expert on US studies in China as saying that the people of the country were expecting a change in the US-China relations after the elections. China hopes that the US may liberalise some of its policies against China after Trump faces a political setback. US and China have been launching escalating import tariffs at each other since March. The victory of Democrats may also influence Trump's policies with North Korea. The leader of the nuclear-armed North Kim Jong Un held an unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June where the two leaders aimed at denuclearizing the North Korea region.

Why US midterm polls are crucial for both Republicans and Democrats

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

But&nbsp;oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday.

What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all.

"In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center.&nbsp; But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell."

And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump.&nbsp;

There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general.

Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note.

"It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez.&nbsp;

When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research.

Veterans and Evangelicals

It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns.

And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats,&nbsp;but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico.&nbsp;

"We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued.&nbsp;

"Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color.

"They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation."

According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency.

"Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions.

Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez.

Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party.

It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz?&nbsp;

Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6. But oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday. What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all. "In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center. But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell." And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump. There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general. Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note. "It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez. When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research. Veterans and Evangelicals It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns. And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats, but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico. "We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued. "Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color. "They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation." According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency. "Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions. Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez. Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party. It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz? Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

US midterm polls 2018: Will Trump's America wake up Latino vote in midterms?

A high-stakes battle over state-level offices is playing out in the November 6 elections, with Democrats and Republicans looking beyond Washington for more political firepower to resist or support President Donald Trump's agenda.

Democrats have targeted state races as a key part of their efforts to rebuild after their devastating White House defeat in 2016. This year, the party is fielding its largest slate of state legislative candidates in more than three decades.

Republicans vow to defend their dominance over state government. They hold 33 governorships and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

Both parties increasingly view state laws and executive action as pivotal to shaping the debate around national issues such as healthcare, gun control and abortion rights. For Democrats, greater power in the states would allow them to push back against Trump and Republicans even if Democrats fail to gain control of the US Congress.

Here are four ways elections in the states will define the US&nbsp;political landscape for years to come:

Congressional redistricting

Hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional district lines are redrawn after the 2020 census. In most states, the party in power will control how the districts are shaped.

Significant Democratic legislative losses under President Barack Obama allowed Republicans to draw lines favouring them after the 2010 census.

Voters in 36 states also are electing governors who will hold office during the redistricting process - and in some key states, they yield veto power over the congressional maps.

Keen for influence over redistricting, Democrats' top targets include open governors' seats in Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker is seen as vulnerable in his bid for a third term.

Heading into Election Day, Republicans appear highly competitive in many of the states where the future majority in Congress will be shaped. They also see a shot to pick up the top office in traditionally Democratic Connecticut and Oregon.

Diversity

In Georgia, Stacey Abrams is vying to be the nation's first black female governor - and her candidacy tests whether Democrats can win on Republican turf in the age of Trump by fielding diverse candidates.

Abrams' candidacy could inspire higher turnout among minority and younger voters, who tend to favour Democrats but do not reliably cast ballots in non-presidential election years. Andrew Gillum's bid to be Florida's first black governor has similar potential.

Both Democrats are running for open seats against Republican white males who have been accused of racially inflammatory tactics, allegations they deny. Ron DeSantis in Florida and Brian Kemp in Georgia have drawn the support of Trump.

A record number of women also are running for state office this year, mostly on the Democratic side.

Several competitive governor's races feature women candidates, including Democrats Abrams in Georgia, Laura Kelly in Kansas, Janet Mills in Maine, Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico and Kate Brown in Oregon and Republicans Kim Reynolds in Iowa and Kristi Noem in South Dakota.

State power

History does not favour Republicans this year in the 46 states electing more than 6,000 legislators. In midterm elections, the party in the White House typically loses approximately 400 seats around the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Democrats believe they can pick up six to eight legislative chambers currently controlled by Republicans, with several more possibly in play.

States with legislatures where Democrats see a chance at gaining control include Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and New Hampshire. In a particularly strong year, Democrats think they could also pick up chambers in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

"We are entirely on the offence this cycle, and Republicans are defending some tough terrain," said Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which leads the party's statehouse efforts.

Democrats may get a boost from groups engaged in long-shot legislative races. Forward Majority, a political action committee created this election cycle, is spending $9 million on some 120 contests in six battleground states - aiming to put enough seats into to play to give Democrats a chance at flipping chambers that are not generally considered winnable, such as the Texas House.

Republicans are targeting several narrowly divided legislatures where just a seat or two would give the party a voice in potential Democratic strongholds, such as New York and Connecticut.

2020 presidential roadmap

Democrats appear poised to win governor offices in the Midwestern and Rust Belt states that sealed Trump's 2016 victory, a potential drag on his re-election chances in two years.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates are leading or highly competitive in opinion polls in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that typically vote Democratic in presidential elections but swung to Trump. These contests may foreshadow whether Trump can count on holding onto states that helped him to achieve an electoral college win, even as he lost the popular vote.

Most polls also show Gillum narrowly ahead in Florida, the largest state that swings between parties in presidential elections. Trump won Florida and having a Republican in the governor's office could help boost his re-election efforts.

Texas is another state to watch. If Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke comes even close to winning the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in the conservative states, it may portend shifting battle lines in the 2020 presidential maps.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, however, is expected to win his re-election bid easily. 
&nbsp;

A high-stakes battle over state-level offices is playing out in the November 6 elections, with Democrats and Republicans looking beyond Washington for more political firepower to resist or support President Donald Trump's agenda.

A high-stakes battle over state-level offices is playing out in the November 6 elections, with Democrats and Republicans looking beyond Washington for more political firepower to resist or support President Donald Trump's agenda. Democrats have targeted state races as a key part of their efforts to rebuild after their devastating White House defeat in 2016. This year, the party is fielding its largest slate of state legislative candidates in more than three decades. Republicans vow to defend their dominance over state government. They hold 33 governorships and two-thirds of state legislative chambers. Both parties increasingly view state laws and executive action as pivotal to shaping the debate around national issues such as healthcare, gun control and abortion rights. For Democrats, greater power in the states would allow them to push back against Trump and Republicans even if Democrats fail to gain control of the US Congress. Here are four ways elections in the states will define the US political landscape for years to come: Congressional redistricting Hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when congressional district lines are redrawn after the 2020 census. In most states, the party in power will control how the districts are shaped. Significant Democratic legislative losses under President Barack Obama allowed Republicans to draw lines favouring them after the 2010 census. Voters in 36 states also are electing governors who will hold office during the redistricting process - and in some key states, they yield veto power over the congressional maps. Keen for influence over redistricting, Democrats' top targets include open governors' seats in Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker is seen as vulnerable in his bid for a third term. Heading into Election Day, Republicans appear highly competitive in many of the states where the future majority in Congress will be shaped. They also see a shot to pick up the top office in traditionally Democratic Connecticut and Oregon. Diversity In Georgia, Stacey Abrams is vying to be the nation's first black female governor - and her candidacy tests whether Democrats can win on Republican turf in the age of Trump by fielding diverse candidates. Abrams' candidacy could inspire higher turnout among minority and younger voters, who tend to favour Democrats but do not reliably cast ballots in non-presidential election years. Andrew Gillum's bid to be Florida's first black governor has similar potential. Both Democrats are running for open seats against Republican white males who have been accused of racially inflammatory tactics, allegations they deny. Ron DeSantis in Florida and Brian Kemp in Georgia have drawn the support of Trump. A record number of women also are running for state office this year, mostly on the Democratic side. Several competitive governor's races feature women candidates, including Democrats Abrams in Georgia, Laura Kelly in Kansas, Janet Mills in Maine, Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico and Kate Brown in Oregon and Republicans Kim Reynolds in Iowa and Kristi Noem in South Dakota. State power History does not favour Republicans this year in the 46 states electing more than 6,000 legislators. In midterm elections, the party in the White House typically loses approximately 400 seats around the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Democrats believe they can pick up six to eight legislative chambers currently controlled by Republicans, with several more possibly in play. States with legislatures where Democrats see a chance at gaining control include Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and New Hampshire. In a particularly strong year, Democrats think they could also pick up chambers in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. "We are entirely on the offence this cycle, and Republicans are defending some tough terrain," said Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which leads the party's statehouse efforts. Democrats may get a boost from groups engaged in long-shot legislative races. Forward Majority, a political action committee created this election cycle, is spending $9 million on some 120 contests in six battleground states - aiming to put enough seats into to play to give Democrats a chance at flipping chambers that are not generally considered winnable, such as the Texas House. Republicans are targeting several narrowly divided legislatures where just a seat or two would give the party a voice in potential Democratic strongholds, such as New York and Connecticut. 2020 presidential roadmap Democrats appear poised to win governor offices in the Midwestern and Rust Belt states that sealed Trump's 2016 victory, a potential drag on his re-election chances in two years. Democratic gubernatorial candidates are leading or highly competitive in opinion polls in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that typically vote Democratic in presidential elections but swung to Trump. These contests may foreshadow whether Trump can count on holding onto states that helped him to achieve an electoral college win, even as he lost the popular vote. Most polls also show Gillum narrowly ahead in Florida, the largest state that swings between parties in presidential elections. Trump won Florida and having a Republican in the governor's office could help boost his re-election efforts. Texas is another state to watch. If Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke comes even close to winning the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in the conservative states, it may portend shifting battle lines in the 2020 presidential maps. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, however, is expected to win his re-election bid easily.

Explainer: High-stakes state elections will shape US political power

Former US President Barack Obama warned on Friday against rhetoric he said was meant to sow fear as he campaigned in support of Democratic candidates while President Donald Trump hammered a hardline anti-immigration message to energize Republicans.

In a packed day of campaigning ahead of Tuesday's congressional midterm elections, Trump continued a blitz of rallies urging voters to keep his Republican Party in control of Congress, while Democrats appeared to notch a win in their efforts to halt the spread of misinformation online.

Twitter Inc said it had deleted more than 10,000 automated accounts posting messages that discouraged people from voting in Tuesday’s elections and wrongly appeared to be from Democrats, after the party flagged the misleading tweets to the social media company.

The removals took place in late September and early October.

Obama hit on a common theme of Democratic campaigns - defending his signature 2010 healthcare law, while urging Americans not to embrace hostility and division in politics.

"We have seen repeated attempts to divide us with rhetoric designed to make us angry and make us fearful," Obama said in Miami. "But in four days, Florida, you can be a check on that kind of behaviour."

Obama was flanked by gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who faces former congressman and strong Trump backer Ron DeSantis, and Senator Bill Nelson, who is being challenged by the outgoing governor, Rick Scott.

Trump's campaign stops were aimed at bolstering Republicans challenging incumbent Democratic senators in West Virginia and Indiana, states he won in the 2016 presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of Mike Braun, who is trying to replace Joe Donnelly in the Senate, Trump told a rally in Indianapolis:

“If you want prosperity for your family, safety for your children and security for your country, vote for Mike Braun.”

Trump was joined on stage by former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight, who led the crowd in a cheer “Go get’em Donald.”

Opinion polls and non-partisan forecasters generally show Democrats with strong chances of winning 23 additional seats and taking a majority in the House of Representatives, which they could use to launch investigations into Trump's administration and block his legislative agenda.

Republicans are favoured to retain control of the Senate, whose powers include confirming Trump's nominations to lifetime seats on the Supreme Court.

Obama's speech was repeatedly interrupted by hecklers, prompting him to quip: "Why is it that the folks who won the last election are so mad all the time?"

SURGING EARLY VOTING

Interest in the election has been unusually high in a year when Congress but not the White House is at stake, according to early voting tallies. Twenty-seven states plus the District of Columbia have recorded more early votes at this point in the campaign than they did in all of 2014, according to The Election Project at the University of Florida, which tracks turnout.

Texas had already recorded more votes than it did in all of 2014, including Election Day, the group said.

After Miami, Obama was headed to Georgia to campaign for Stacey Abrams, a former state legislator aiming to become the nation's first black female governor.

That race pitting Abrams against Republican Brian Kemp, the state's top elections overseer, has become a flashpoint for allegations of voter suppression by Democrats due to the state's strict voter-identification law. Republicans say the law is necessary to deter voter fraud.

A federal judge on Friday ordered the state to allow some 3,000 recently naturalized citizens to vote after their registrations had been put on hold.

With the race neck and neck, voter turnout will be crucial, said Georgia State University political scientist Lakeyta Bonnette-Bailey. Obama could energize Democratic voters and drive up turnout, she added.

"At this point it's going to be turnout," she said. "How can he mobilize those who are already registered to vote to go out and vote. And to tell their friends and families to vote."

The final weeks of the campaign have also seen a spate of violence including the massacre of 11 people at a Pennsylvania synagogue and more than a dozen package bombs sent to prominent Trump critics.

The FBI said on Friday it had recovered a suspicious package addressed to California billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democrat known for his ads calling for Trump's impeachment.

In West Virginia, Trump's third visit in three months was aimed at shoring up Patrick Morrisey, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.

Two new polls this week showed Manchin's once-comfortable lead over Morrisey dwindling to 5 percentage points, which the Democrat's supporters blame in part on Trump's repeated visits.

"I know Trump coming so often is making an impact," said Jim Hoyt, chairman of the Morgan County Democratic Party in northeast West Virginia. Like other Democrats in the state, he still expects Manchin to win.

Former US President Barack Obama warned on Friday against rhetoric he said was meant to sow fear as he campaigned in support of Democratic candidates while President Donald Trump hammered a hardline anti-immigration message to energize Republicans.

Former US President Barack Obama warned on Friday against rhetoric he said was meant to sow fear as he campaigned in support of Democratic candidates while President Donald Trump hammered a hardline anti-immigration message to energize Republicans. In a packed day of campaigning ahead of Tuesday's congressional midterm elections, Trump continued a blitz of rallies urging voters to keep his Republican Party in control of Congress, while Democrats appeared to notch a win in their efforts to halt the spread of misinformation online. Twitter Inc said it had deleted more than 10,000 automated accounts posting messages that discouraged people from voting in Tuesday’s elections and wrongly appeared to be from Democrats, after the party flagged the misleading tweets to the social media company. The removals took place in late September and early October. Obama hit on a common theme of Democratic campaigns - defending his signature 2010 healthcare law, while urging Americans not to embrace hostility and division in politics. "We have seen repeated attempts to divide us with rhetoric designed to make us angry and make us fearful," Obama said in Miami. "But in four days, Florida, you can be a check on that kind of behaviour." Obama was flanked by gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who faces former congressman and strong Trump backer Ron DeSantis, and Senator Bill Nelson, who is being challenged by the outgoing governor, Rick Scott. Trump's campaign stops were aimed at bolstering Republicans challenging incumbent Democratic senators in West Virginia and Indiana, states he won in the 2016 presidential election. Speaking on behalf of Mike Braun, who is trying to replace Joe Donnelly in the Senate, Trump told a rally in Indianapolis: “If you want prosperity for your family, safety for your children and security for your country, vote for Mike Braun.” Trump was joined on stage by former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight, who led the crowd in a cheer “Go get’em Donald.” Opinion polls and non-partisan forecasters generally show Democrats with strong chances of winning 23 additional seats and taking a majority in the House of Representatives, which they could use to launch investigations into Trump's administration and block his legislative agenda. Republicans are favoured to retain control of the Senate, whose powers include confirming Trump's nominations to lifetime seats on the Supreme Court. Obama's speech was repeatedly interrupted by hecklers, prompting him to quip: "Why is it that the folks who won the last election are so mad all the time?" SURGING EARLY VOTING Interest in the election has been unusually high in a year when Congress but not the White House is at stake, according to early voting tallies. Twenty-seven states plus the District of Columbia have recorded more early votes at this point in the campaign than they did in all of 2014, according to The Election Project at the University of Florida, which tracks turnout. Texas had already recorded more votes than it did in all of 2014, including Election Day, the group said. After Miami, Obama was headed to Georgia to campaign for Stacey Abrams, a former state legislator aiming to become the nation's first black female governor. That race pitting Abrams against Republican Brian Kemp, the state's top elections overseer, has become a flashpoint for allegations of voter suppression by Democrats due to the state's strict voter-identification law. Republicans say the law is necessary to deter voter fraud. A federal judge on Friday ordered the state to allow some 3,000 recently naturalized citizens to vote after their registrations had been put on hold. With the race neck and neck, voter turnout will be crucial, said Georgia State University political scientist Lakeyta Bonnette-Bailey. Obama could energize Democratic voters and drive up turnout, she added. "At this point it's going to be turnout," she said. "How can he mobilize those who are already registered to vote to go out and vote. And to tell their friends and families to vote." The final weeks of the campaign have also seen a spate of violence including the massacre of 11 people at a Pennsylvania synagogue and more than a dozen package bombs sent to prominent Trump critics. The FBI said on Friday it had recovered a suspicious package addressed to California billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democrat known for his ads calling for Trump's impeachment. In West Virginia, Trump's third visit in three months was aimed at shoring up Patrick Morrisey, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. Two new polls this week showed Manchin's once-comfortable lead over Morrisey dwindling to 5 percentage points, which the Democrat's supporters blame in part on Trump's repeated visits. "I know Trump coming so often is making an impact," said Jim Hoyt, chairman of the Morgan County Democratic Party in northeast West Virginia. Like other Democrats in the state, he still expects Manchin to win.

US midterm polls 2018: Obama warns against fear, Trump touts economy on campaign trail

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate.

President Donald Trump is ratcheting up the rhetoric and campaigning furiously as he seeks to hold on to the Republican majorities in the two chambers of Congress.

All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs on Tuesday while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states.

Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, where Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so.

"Democrats will carry the House," Pelosi said on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," while also forecasting victory in the Senate.

Political forecasting outlet FiveThirtyEight.com gives Democrats a 6 in 7, or 85 per cent, chance of gaining control of the House but only a 1 in 7, or 15 per cent, chance of winning the Senate.

As election day approaches and with turnout a major factor, Trump has sought to drive Republicans to the polls and rekindle the enthusiasm of his 2016 upset presidential bid.

"I'm not on the ticket, but I am on the ticket because this is also a referendum about me," he said at a rally last month in Mississippi. "Pretend I'm on the ballot."

Anti-immigration rhetoric

Trump has scheduled 10 campaign rallies over the next five days in eight states -- Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Trump has dialed up the rhetoric on immigration, issuing dire warnings about caravans of Central American migrants heading to the US southern border.

Claiming the caravans include "very bad thugs and gang members," Trump has ordered 5,000 active-duty troops to the border and said he is considering sending up to 15,000.

Trump also posted a political ad on his Twitter account on Wednesday which shows a Mexican man boasting about killing police officers and includes the caption "Democrats let him into the country."

Democrats accused the president of seeking to inflame his supporters with racist anti-immigration appeals.

"This is fear mongering," Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told CNN. "This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long."

Control of the Senate will come down to a handful of races, in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, according to political analysts.

Tight Senate races

In Arizona, two women -- Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Representative Martha McSally, a former air force fighter pilot -- are battling to replace Senator Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. 538.com currently gives Sinema a slight edge.

In Florida, incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is involved in a tough reelection battle with Republican governor Rick Scott. 538.com has Nelson with a small lead.

In Missouri, 538.com gives incumbent Democratic Senator Clare McCaskill a 3-in-5 chance of holding off a stiff challenge from 38-year-old state attorney general Josh Hawley.

In other closely watched races, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota is trailing in most polls and incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada is locked in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen.

In reliably Republican Texas, Senator Ted Cruz is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke but most polls give the edge to the Republican incumbent.

Two races for governor have drawn widespread attention.

In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the state House of Representatives, is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state.

And in Florida, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, is in a bitter battle with a Trump acolyte, Republican Representative Ron DeSantis.

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate.

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate. President Donald Trump is ratcheting up the rhetoric and campaigning furiously as he seeks to hold on to the Republican majorities in the two chambers of Congress. All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs on Tuesday while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states. Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, where Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so. "Democrats will carry the House," Pelosi said on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," while also forecasting victory in the Senate. Political forecasting outlet FiveThirtyEight.com gives Democrats a 6 in 7, or 85 per cent, chance of gaining control of the House but only a 1 in 7, or 15 per cent, chance of winning the Senate. As election day approaches and with turnout a major factor, Trump has sought to drive Republicans to the polls and rekindle the enthusiasm of his 2016 upset presidential bid. "I'm not on the ticket, but I am on the ticket because this is also a referendum about me," he said at a rally last month in Mississippi. "Pretend I'm on the ballot." Anti-immigration rhetoric Trump has scheduled 10 campaign rallies over the next five days in eight states -- Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Trump has dialed up the rhetoric on immigration, issuing dire warnings about caravans of Central American migrants heading to the US southern border. Claiming the caravans include "very bad thugs and gang members," Trump has ordered 5,000 active-duty troops to the border and said he is considering sending up to 15,000. Trump also posted a political ad on his Twitter account on Wednesday which shows a Mexican man boasting about killing police officers and includes the caption "Democrats let him into the country." Democrats accused the president of seeking to inflame his supporters with racist anti-immigration appeals. "This is fear mongering," Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told CNN. "This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long." Control of the Senate will come down to a handful of races, in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, according to political analysts. Tight Senate races In Arizona, two women -- Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Representative Martha McSally, a former air force fighter pilot -- are battling to replace Senator Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. 538.com currently gives Sinema a slight edge. In Florida, incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is involved in a tough reelection battle with Republican governor Rick Scott. 538.com has Nelson with a small lead. In Missouri, 538.com gives incumbent Democratic Senator Clare McCaskill a 3-in-5 chance of holding off a stiff challenge from 38-year-old state attorney general Josh Hawley. In other closely watched races, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota is trailing in most polls and incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada is locked in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen. In reliably Republican Texas, Senator Ted Cruz is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke but most polls give the edge to the Republican incumbent. Two races for governor have drawn widespread attention. In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the state House of Representatives, is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state. And in Florida, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, is in a bitter battle with a Trump acolyte, Republican Representative Ron DeSantis.

US midterm polls 2018: Democrats favoured to take House, Republicans to hold Senate

Trump ramps up campaign as US midterm polls approach

The information technology (IT) industry in India has come a long way from early beginnings to a $150-billion global leader. In this journey, many of us who have led companies in this industry have faced many hurdles in our key markets and have seen technology shifts that threatened our global delivery model. However, we have always come out stronger and given a strategic response that has benefited all our stakeholders at all times.

Today, there are three challenges facing the industry. The first is the inexorable shift to digital, leading to a completely different way global clients of the industry will deploy processes and technology to engage with customers and supply chain partners. The second is the hectic pace of automation, both by manufacturing and services clients as robots in the physical world and robotic process automation in the services arena consume jobs all over the world and also in the IT and business process management (BPM) industry itself, threatening jobs like infrastructure and applications support, applications development and testing, which become easy targets for automation. And last, but not the least, is the looming spectre of protectionism, with traditional markets like the US, Europe and even Africa looking out for local talent and creating barriers for free movement of professionals from India.

The hot topic of the day is US President Donald Trump's multiple pronouncements against the highly skilled visa programme and the issuance of H-1B visas, supported by top white house advisors and members of the US Congress and Senate. The moves stem from President Trump's "America First" agenda which welcomes and encourages investments in the US while denouncing any moves to shift work offshore or replace American jobs with visa holding professionals. It does not help that Indian nationals continue to account for the overwhelming majority of H-1B and L-1 visas issued (74 per cent in FY 2017).

With all the pressure on Indian firms, local employment is being increased and the number of visas sponsored by Indian firms continues to decline each year with Nasscom recording a 55 per cent decline in new H-1B petitions for initial employment from FY 2014 levels of 18,709 to 8,468 in FY2017.

The response of the Indian industry has always been in three dimensions. The first is the fact that India's IT sector is a "net creator" of jobs in the US, directly supporting over 4 lakh jobs in the US. In the last four years alone, American jobs supported by Indian companies grew by 10 per cent annually compared to annual US job growth of less than 2 per cent. The second is the help given to thousands of the US businesses to improve their operations, create new products and services and gain market share through superior global competitiveness. The participation of Indian H-1B and green card holders in cutting-edge research has made the US the dominant tech nation for decades, an edge that the US can ill afford to lose.

The third and possibly the most compelling argument is that the US Department of Labor estimates that there will be 2.4 million unfilled jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by 2018, with half of these in IT related roles, and while Indian companies have stepped in to fill the gap, the annual number of IT specialists from India working on temporary visas is about 0.009 per cent of the 158-million strong US workforce.

It would, of course, be unrealistic to expect any softening of the US stance for the immediate future. The industry needs to protect its revenues by embracing new models that are driven by IP creation, local hiring and more intense offshore capability building. With digital transformation becoming the need of the day for all clients, building multi-stakeholder platforms and re-skilling the existing workforce on all shores in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data sciences and user experience design will be the best way to protect and enhance both revenues and industry reputation globally. The industry will make it happen. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-h-1b-or-not-to-be-is-one-more-challenge-before-the-it-industry-2660094">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The information technology (IT) industry in India has come a long way from early beginnings to a $150-billion global leader. In this journey, many of us who have led companies in this industry have faced many hurdles in our key markets and have seen technology shifts that threatened our global delivery model.

The information technology (IT) industry in India has come a long way from early beginnings to a $150-billion global leader. In this journey, many of us who have led companies in this industry have faced many hurdles in our key markets and have seen technology shifts that threatened our global delivery model. However, we have always come out stronger and given a strategic response that has benefited all our stakeholders at all times. Today, there are three challenges facing the industry. The first is the inexorable shift to digital, leading to a completely different way global clients of the industry will deploy processes and technology to engage with customers and supply chain partners. The second is the hectic pace of automation, both by manufacturing and services clients as robots in the physical world and robotic process automation in the services arena consume jobs all over the world and also in the IT and business process management (BPM) industry itself, threatening jobs like infrastructure and applications support, applications development and testing, which become easy targets for automation. And last, but not the least, is the looming spectre of protectionism, with traditional markets like the US, Europe and even Africa looking out for local talent and creating barriers for free movement of professionals from India. The hot topic of the day is US President Donald Trump's multiple pronouncements against the highly skilled visa programme and the issuance of H-1B visas, supported by top white house advisors and members of the US Congress and Senate. The moves stem from President Trump's "America First" agenda which welcomes and encourages investments in the US while denouncing any moves to shift work offshore or replace American jobs with visa holding professionals. It does not help that Indian nationals continue to account for the overwhelming majority of H-1B and L-1 visas issued (74 per cent in FY 2017). With all the pressure on Indian firms, local employment is being increased and the number of visas sponsored by Indian firms continues to decline each year with Nasscom recording a 55 per cent decline in new H-1B petitions for initial employment from FY 2014 levels of 18,709 to 8,468 in FY2017. The response of the Indian industry has always been in three dimensions. The first is the fact that India's IT sector is a "net creator" of jobs in the US, directly supporting over 4 lakh jobs in the US. In the last four years alone, American jobs supported by Indian companies grew by 10 per cent annually compared to annual US job growth of less than 2 per cent. The second is the help given to thousands of the US businesses to improve their operations, create new products and services and gain market share through superior global competitiveness. The participation of Indian H-1B and green card holders in cutting-edge research has made the US the dominant tech nation for decades, an edge that the US can ill afford to lose. The third and possibly the most compelling argument is that the US Department of Labor estimates that there will be 2.4 million unfilled jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by 2018, with half of these in IT related roles, and while Indian companies have stepped in to fill the gap, the annual number of IT specialists from India working on temporary visas is about 0.009 per cent of the 158-million strong US workforce. It would, of course, be unrealistic to expect any softening of the US stance for the immediate future. The industry needs to protect its revenues by embracing new models that are driven by IP creation, local hiring and more intense offshore capability building. With digital transformation becoming the need of the day for all clients, building multi-stakeholder platforms and re-skilling the existing workforce on all shores in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data sciences and user experience design will be the best way to protect and enhance both revenues and industry reputation globally. The industry will make it happen. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Amid H-1B visa row, Indian IT industry faces many challenges

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hardens-stance-on-mexico-border-says-15000-troops-could-be-sent-174771">immigrants seeking asylum </a>in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

It was not clear whether the plan would pass legal muster. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides that any immigrant in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of whether he or she entered the country through a designated port of entry.

"Migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that he would issue an executive order on immigration next week.

"Those who choose to break our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use meritless claims to gain automatic admission into our country," he added.

Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before elections on Tuesday that will determine whether his fellow Republicans keep control of Congress.&nbsp;

In recent days, he has sought to present as a threat to the United States a large group of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pressures-mexico-to-stop-migrant-caravans-174739">migrants from Central America</a> who have left poverty and violence at home and are heading slowly through Mexico toward the US border.

"These illegal caravans will not be allowed into the United States and they should turn back now," Trump said. "We are stopping people at the border. This is an invasion."&nbsp;

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, an ally of the president and head of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed some of the president's strong rhetoric about the caravan in a letter to the secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

In the letter, Grassley said his office had received information that several members of the caravan had "significant criminal histories" and was seeking information about "potential national security threats that reportedly exist among the members."

Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border to confront the migrant caravan, more than twice the number previously disclosed by defence officials.

Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls.

On another immigration front, Trump said this week he would seek to scrap the constitutional right of citizenship for US-born children of noncitizens and illegal immigrants, saying he would issue an executive order on so-called birthright citizenship.&nbsp;

Trump and some other Republicans say the right - granted by the Constitution's post-Civil War 14th Amendment - creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Critics, including some other Republicans, say the president cannot change the Constitution by fiat. Such an action would virtually guarantee a legal challenge.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections. It was not clear whether the plan would pass legal muster. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides that any immigrant in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of whether he or she entered the country through a designated port of entry. "Migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that he would issue an executive order on immigration next week. "Those who choose to break our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use meritless claims to gain automatic admission into our country," he added. Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before elections on Tuesday that will determine whether his fellow Republicans keep control of Congress. In recent days, he has sought to present as a threat to the United States a large group of migrants from Central America who have left poverty and violence at home and are heading slowly through Mexico toward the US border. "These illegal caravans will not be allowed into the United States and they should turn back now," Trump said. "We are stopping people at the border. This is an invasion." Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, an ally of the president and head of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed some of the president's strong rhetoric about the caravan in a letter to the secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. In the letter, Grassley said his office had received information that several members of the caravan had "significant criminal histories" and was seeking information about "potential national security threats that reportedly exist among the members." Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border to confront the migrant caravan, more than twice the number previously disclosed by defence officials. Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls. On another immigration front, Trump said this week he would seek to scrap the constitutional right of citizenship for US-born children of noncitizens and illegal immigrants, saying he would issue an executive order on so-called birthright citizenship. Trump and some other Republicans say the right - granted by the Constitution's post-Civil War 14th Amendment - creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Critics, including some other Republicans, say the president cannot change the Constitution by fiat. Such an action would virtually guarantee a legal challenge.

Trump moves to crack down on asylum seekers ahead of US elections

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago.

This year is different.

After Republican officials said in September they would move the Hispanic-majority city's only polling place to a remote spot outside the city limits, across railroad tracks and away from bus lines, Torres decided to vote by mail.

"I wanted to be sure I could vote," said Torres, 57, who works at a meatpacking plant in this western Kansas city best known for its history as a Wild West outpost. "I didn't want to take any chances."

Torres and other voters interviewed by Reuters said they were worried voting would be more difficult at the new location. Some were skeptical of the official explanation: that construction will hinder access to the usual site.

The move sparked an outcry from voting rights groups that say Republicans are trying to limit Hispanic votes. The American Civil Liberties Union asked the courts to force Dodge City to open another polling site – a request denied by a judge on Thursday.

Democrats are mobilizing to rent vans, line up volunteers to drive people to the polls and set up a hotline to ask for rides.

Kansas is just one front in a broad national struggle over voting restrictions passed by Republicans, who say they are needed to combat voter fraud.

Democrats and advocacy groups are scrambling in courtrooms and on the ground to resist efforts they say will stack the deck against minority voters likely to back Democrats in next Tuesday's elections, where control of the US Congress will be at stake.

The national voting rights debate, which accelerated after the US Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, has been particularly intense this year in states with tight, high-stakes election races such as Kansas, Georgia, North Dakota and Tennessee.

"There are a lot of grim things happening, but people are awake and highly engaged to fight back on this issue," said Leah Aden, deputy director of litigation at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

'SLAP IN THE FACE'

On a recent afternoon in Dodge City, where about 60 percent of the 27,000 residents are Hispanic, many of the mostly Hispanic workers pouring out of a beef processing plant during a shift change were surprised to find a trio of Kansas Democrats waiting for them.

"Do you know your polling place has moved?" Democratic congressional candidate Alan LaPolice asked as he and two aides handed out more than 300 packets with bilingual information on where to vote and how to call for a ride to get there.

Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, 18, a first-time voter in November and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit, said the new polling site would make it tough on people unable to get time off from work to vote, or had transportation or language issues.

"People can't just leave the plants to vote. You can't just run over on your lunch break," Rangel-Lopez said.

Suspicions about the motive behind the polling place change come naturally in Kansas, where Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the country's foremost advocates of restrictive voting and immigration laws, is in a tight race for governor against Democrat Laura Kelly.

"This is a slap in the face to voters here," said Ford County Democratic Party Chairman Johnny Dunlap. "They should be making voting easier, not harder."

Debbie Cox, the Republican county clerk who ordered the move, declined requests for comment on her decision to set up a new polling place about 4 miles (6 km) from the old one.

But the state's elections director, who works under Kobach, said Cox chose the best available alternative with adequate parking and space.

'KOBACH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS'

"I have trouble understanding how this was voter suppression. There just weren't many options for polling sites that fit the criteria," Kansas Elections Director Bryan Caskey said. "I can say with 100 percent certainty that Secretary Kobach had nothing to do with this."

Kobach has relentlessly promoted theories about the threat of voter fraud and was a leader on President Donald Trump's disbanded election integrity commission formed to look into possible fraud in the 2016 election.

While Republicans say new voting restrictions such as tougher ID requirements and aggressive voter-roll purges are necessary to ensure honest elections or clean up voter rolls, independent studies have found that voter fraud is extremely rare.

Other states with major election races also have wrestled with voting rights issues. In North Dakota, where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and Republican Kevin Cramer are in a close Senate race, Native American tribal leaders have mobilized to help up to 10,000 residents in rural reservations whose voting eligibility has been threatened by a state law requiring a residential street address on ID's.

Many reservation residents use post office boxes for mail delivery and do not have street addresses. The law, which Republicans said was aimed at fighting voter fraud, was passed after Heitkamp was elected to the Senate by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2012 with strong Native American support.

Precinct maps and satellite images of the state's five reservations are being used to help generate street addresses, which can be recorded and printed on tribal letterhead, said OJ Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions, a Native American voting rights group.

"This is about being pushed into a corner and having to fight back," Semans said. "We want to make sure the state thinks twice about doing something like this again."

Groups in Georgia sued to block Democrat Stacey Abrams' opponent for governor, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is also the state's top election official, from throwing out more than 50,000 voter registration applications put on hold under the state's "exact match" law requiring personal information on voter applications to match state databases.

The lawsuit alleged the vast majority of the disputed applications were from black voters.

Jimmy Carter, a former US president and Georgia governor, even weighed in, calling on Kemp to resign his post supervising elections. Kemp has refused to step down and says he is fairly applying Georgia's laws.

In Tennessee, home to another crucial US Senate race between Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Marsha Blackburn, a lawsuit by voting rights groups led a judge to order that people in majority-black Shelby County be allowed to fix their incomplete voter registration applications and vote.

Democrats in Tennessee have formed the first statewide voter protection team to watch for problems at the polls. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini calls them an "army of poll watchers."

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago. This year is different.

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago. This year is different. After Republican officials said in September they would move the Hispanic-majority city's only polling place to a remote spot outside the city limits, across railroad tracks and away from bus lines, Torres decided to vote by mail. "I wanted to be sure I could vote," said Torres, 57, who works at a meatpacking plant in this western Kansas city best known for its history as a Wild West outpost. "I didn't want to take any chances." Torres and other voters interviewed by Reuters said they were worried voting would be more difficult at the new location. Some were skeptical of the official explanation: that construction will hinder access to the usual site. The move sparked an outcry from voting rights groups that say Republicans are trying to limit Hispanic votes. The American Civil Liberties Union asked the courts to force Dodge City to open another polling site – a request denied by a judge on Thursday. Democrats are mobilizing to rent vans, line up volunteers to drive people to the polls and set up a hotline to ask for rides. Kansas is just one front in a broad national struggle over voting restrictions passed by Republicans, who say they are needed to combat voter fraud. Democrats and advocacy groups are scrambling in courtrooms and on the ground to resist efforts they say will stack the deck against minority voters likely to back Democrats in next Tuesday's elections, where control of the US Congress will be at stake. The national voting rights debate, which accelerated after the US Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, has been particularly intense this year in states with tight, high-stakes election races such as Kansas, Georgia, North Dakota and Tennessee. "There are a lot of grim things happening, but people are awake and highly engaged to fight back on this issue," said Leah Aden, deputy director of litigation at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund. 'SLAP IN THE FACE' On a recent afternoon in Dodge City, where about 60 percent of the 27,000 residents are Hispanic, many of the mostly Hispanic workers pouring out of a beef processing plant during a shift change were surprised to find a trio of Kansas Democrats waiting for them. "Do you know your polling place has moved?" Democratic congressional candidate Alan LaPolice asked as he and two aides handed out more than 300 packets with bilingual information on where to vote and how to call for a ride to get there. Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, 18, a first-time voter in November and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit, said the new polling site would make it tough on people unable to get time off from work to vote, or had transportation or language issues. "People can't just leave the plants to vote. You can't just run over on your lunch break," Rangel-Lopez said. Suspicions about the motive behind the polling place change come naturally in Kansas, where Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the country's foremost advocates of restrictive voting and immigration laws, is in a tight race for governor against Democrat Laura Kelly. "This is a slap in the face to voters here," said Ford County Democratic Party Chairman Johnny Dunlap. "They should be making voting easier, not harder." Debbie Cox, the Republican county clerk who ordered the move, declined requests for comment on her decision to set up a new polling place about 4 miles (6 km) from the old one. But the state's elections director, who works under Kobach, said Cox chose the best available alternative with adequate parking and space. 'KOBACH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS' "I have trouble understanding how this was voter suppression. There just weren't many options for polling sites that fit the criteria," Kansas Elections Director Bryan Caskey said. "I can say with 100 percent certainty that Secretary Kobach had nothing to do with this." Kobach has relentlessly promoted theories about the threat of voter fraud and was a leader on President Donald Trump's disbanded election integrity commission formed to look into possible fraud in the 2016 election. While Republicans say new voting restrictions such as tougher ID requirements and aggressive voter-roll purges are necessary to ensure honest elections or clean up voter rolls, independent studies have found that voter fraud is extremely rare. Other states with major election races also have wrestled with voting rights issues. In North Dakota, where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and Republican Kevin Cramer are in a close Senate race, Native American tribal leaders have mobilized to help up to 10,000 residents in rural reservations whose voting eligibility has been threatened by a state law requiring a residential street address on ID's. Many reservation residents use post office boxes for mail delivery and do not have street addresses. The law, which Republicans said was aimed at fighting voter fraud, was passed after Heitkamp was elected to the Senate by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2012 with strong Native American support. Precinct maps and satellite images of the state's five reservations are being used to help generate street addresses, which can be recorded and printed on tribal letterhead, said OJ Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions, a Native American voting rights group. "This is about being pushed into a corner and having to fight back," Semans said. "We want to make sure the state thinks twice about doing something like this again." Groups in Georgia sued to block Democrat Stacey Abrams' opponent for governor, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is also the state's top election official, from throwing out more than 50,000 voter registration applications put on hold under the state's "exact match" law requiring personal information on voter applications to match state databases. The lawsuit alleged the vast majority of the disputed applications were from black voters. Jimmy Carter, a former US president and Georgia governor, even weighed in, calling on Kemp to resign his post supervising elections. Kemp has refused to step down and says he is fairly applying Georgia's laws. In Tennessee, home to another crucial US Senate race between Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Marsha Blackburn, a lawsuit by voting rights groups led a judge to order that people in majority-black Shelby County be allowed to fix their incomplete voter registration applications and vote. Democrats in Tennessee have formed the first statewide voter protection team to watch for problems at the polls. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini calls them an "army of poll watchers."

Ahead of US elections, fears of voter suppression and efforts to fight back

Two former TV stars and political opposites - media mogul Oprah Winfrey and President Donald Trump - took to the US campaign trail on Thursday, five days before elections that will determine whether Trump`s Republicans retain control of Congress.

Winfrey appeared in Georgia to back Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is vying to become the United States'&nbsp;first black female governor.&nbsp;

"I'm here today to support a change maker," the movie star and former TV talk show host told a crowd in Cobb County northwest of Atlanta. "She is dynamic. She is so inspired and inspiring."

Trump, who gained nationwide fame as star of the reality show "The Apprentice," was in the second day of an 11-rally tour of states with competitive Senate races. He was to campaign with fellow Republican Josh Hawley, who is trying to unseat Democratic US Senator Claire McCaskill.

The contest between Abrams, a former state lawmaker, and Republican Brian Kemp has become a flashpoint in the battle over voter access. As Georgia`s secretary of state, Kemp oversees the Southern state`s elections.

Georgia has one of the country`s strictest voter ID laws, measures Republicans say are needed to ensure no one votes illegally. Democrats contend the statutes unfairly block poor people and minority group members from voting.

 
Voting rights groups sued Kemp, saying his office had inappropriately stopped processing more than 50,000 voter registration applications, many from black voters. Other groups have challenged voting restrictions in states including North Dakota, Arkansas and Ohio.

Healthcare focus

Abrams said improving the state's health care system was at the top of the list of issues she wanted to tackle if elected, a message that lined up with Democrats` national focus as they seek to gain control of at least one chamber of Congress, which would give them the ability to oppose Trump's agenda. 
"The Republican solution has been nothing," Abrams said on Thursday. "It has been absolutely nothing."

The embrace of healthcare is a sharp shift for Democrats, who were wary of defending Obamacare in previous elections when the law that created it was unpopular with many voters.

A Reuters poll of 2,673 Americans conducted October 1 through October 28 found health care was the top issue for Democratic and independent voters heading into the elections, and third in priority among Republicans, behind immigration and the economy.

Democrats are favoured to flip the 23 seats they need to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, although they are considered a long shot to pick up the two seats needed to capture the Senate.&nbsp;

Trump stumps 
 
Vulnerable Democratic senators in states Trump won in 2016 are also focusing on health care. Among them is Missouri's McCaskill, who has criticised her Republican challenger, state Attorney General Hawley, for joining a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general seeking to overturn Obamacare.

Trump, who vowed throughout his campaign to repeal Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, and fumed when the effort failed, was due in Missouri on Thursday to support Hawley.

On Friday, he will travel to West Virginia, which he won by more than 40 percentage points in 2016. The state`s Democratic senator, Joe Manchin, has attacked his opponent, Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, for participating in the same lawsuit Hawley joined.

Republicans say they are also committed to maintaining those protections, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Democrats and health care experts who say an Obamacare repeal would have sent premiums skyrocketing for certain people with pre-existing conditions.

Former Vice President Joe Biden may also address the issue in a Thursday campaign appearance in North Dakota with embattled Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp.

"Fearmongering"

Trump, who will not be on the ballot, came under fire from Democrats and even some fellow Republicans on Thursday for an online video ad backing Republican candidates that attempted to link Democrats and immigrants to violent crime.

The ad featured courtroom footage of Luis Bracamontes - an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers in Sacramento, California - saying in accented English he would kill more cops. A narrator asks, "Who else would Democrats let in?"

Robert Reich, who served as secretary of labour in the Clinton administration, called the ad "desperate and vile ... They`ve resorted to fearmongering."

Two former TV stars and political opposites - media mogul Oprah Winfrey and President Donald Trump - took to the US campaign trail on Thursday, five days before elections that will determine whether Trump`s Republicans retain control of Congress.

Two former TV stars and political opposites - media mogul Oprah Winfrey and President Donald Trump - took to the US campaign trail on Thursday, five days before elections that will determine whether Trump`s Republicans retain control of Congress. Winfrey appeared in Georgia to back Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is vying to become the United States' first black female governor. "I'm here today to support a change maker," the movie star and former TV talk show host told a crowd in Cobb County northwest of Atlanta. "She is dynamic. She is so inspired and inspiring." Trump, who gained nationwide fame as star of the reality show "The Apprentice," was in the second day of an 11-rally tour of states with competitive Senate races. He was to campaign with fellow Republican Josh Hawley, who is trying to unseat Democratic US Senator Claire McCaskill. The contest between Abrams, a former state lawmaker, and Republican Brian Kemp has become a flashpoint in the battle over voter access. As Georgia`s secretary of state, Kemp oversees the Southern state`s elections. Georgia has one of the country`s strictest voter ID laws, measures Republicans say are needed to ensure no one votes illegally. Democrats contend the statutes unfairly block poor people and minority group members from voting. Voting rights groups sued Kemp, saying his office had inappropriately stopped processing more than 50,000 voter registration applications, many from black voters. Other groups have challenged voting restrictions in states including North Dakota, Arkansas and Ohio. Healthcare focus Abrams said improving the state's health care system was at the top of the list of issues she wanted to tackle if elected, a message that lined up with Democrats` national focus as they seek to gain control of at least one chamber of Congress, which would give them the ability to oppose Trump's agenda. "The Republican solution has been nothing," Abrams said on Thursday. "It has been absolutely nothing." The embrace of healthcare is a sharp shift for Democrats, who were wary of defending Obamacare in previous elections when the law that created it was unpopular with many voters. A Reuters poll of 2,673 Americans conducted October 1 through October 28 found health care was the top issue for Democratic and independent voters heading into the elections, and third in priority among Republicans, behind immigration and the economy. Democrats are favoured to flip the 23 seats they need to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, although they are considered a long shot to pick up the two seats needed to capture the Senate. Trump stumps Vulnerable Democratic senators in states Trump won in 2016 are also focusing on health care. Among them is Missouri's McCaskill, who has criticised her Republican challenger, state Attorney General Hawley, for joining a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general seeking to overturn Obamacare. Trump, who vowed throughout his campaign to repeal Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, and fumed when the effort failed, was due in Missouri on Thursday to support Hawley. On Friday, he will travel to West Virginia, which he won by more than 40 percentage points in 2016. The state`s Democratic senator, Joe Manchin, has attacked his opponent, Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, for participating in the same lawsuit Hawley joined. Republicans say they are also committed to maintaining those protections, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Democrats and health care experts who say an Obamacare repeal would have sent premiums skyrocketing for certain people with pre-existing conditions. Former Vice President Joe Biden may also address the issue in a Thursday campaign appearance in North Dakota with embattled Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp. "Fearmongering" Trump, who will not be on the ballot, came under fire from Democrats and even some fellow Republicans on Thursday for an online video ad backing Republican candidates that attempted to link Democrats and immigrants to violent crime. The ad featured courtroom footage of Luis Bracamontes - an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers in Sacramento, California - saying in accented English he would kill more cops. A narrator asks, "Who else would Democrats let in?" Robert Reich, who served as secretary of labour in the Clinton administration, called the ad "desperate and vile ... They`ve resorted to fearmongering."

US midterm polls 2018: TV titans Trump, Oprah go head to head on US campaign trail

As American voters prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday (November 6), President Donald Trump is forefront on the minds of voters, even though he's not on the ballot.

While political analysts don't expect massive gains by Democrats, Trump and Republicans aren't taking any chances. In the week leading up to the election, Trump has scheduled rallies, sometimes as many as two a day, taking aim at hot-button issues such as immigration to motivate his base.

Voters in the Washington area spoke to Reuters about issues that are most important to them -- ranging from women's rights, immigration, health care, and the Supreme Court. All agree that voting and being a part of the democratic process is crucial.

David Butler is a financial planner in the Baltimore area, who enjoys fishing in the Chesapeake Bay after work. "I think everybody should vote and vote how they feel," he said. Butler believes the controversy surrounding the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh could spur conservative voters to the polls.

Stacie Lee Banks is the co-owner of a family floral design business in Washington. She believes that women have been undermined since Trump took office and hopes the political discourse will change if people vote in large numbers. But Banks is far from optimistic. "I feel kinda hopeless, a little hopeless or I feel a little bit of despair," she said. "I don't know if the other parts of the country are feeling the same way."

Women's groups have been focused on boosting voter turnout following Trump's election which drew massive protest crowds to Washington a day after his inauguration. Rallying points of sexual harassment, reproductive rights, Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, and a record number of female candidates running for office could all factor in.

Thu Tran is a naturalized US&nbsp;citizen who resides in Virginia. She left her native Vietnam in 1988 to escape repression from the communist government. She is also hopeful the results of the election will benefit women. "A lot of women (are) angry, but I think after the election, maybe something change," Tran told Reuters.

Richard Bell works at a seafood market in Baltimore and is troubled by the divisive and polarized nature of the current political climate. He looks to support candidates that will overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. Bell says the Democratic party has become "vicious" and admits debating politics on social media has damaged some of his friendships.

Democrats have focused much of their closing messaging on defending the 2010 Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, and its protection of insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

Trump and Republicans have ramped up attention on immigration, including a caravan of migrants from Central America headed through Mexico toward the U.S. border.

Candidates from both major parties are urging their supporters to vote early and data shows record numbers of people have already voted.

As American voters prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday (November 6), President Donald Trump is forefront on the minds of voters, even though he's not on the ballot.

As American voters prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday (November 6), President Donald Trump is forefront on the minds of voters, even though he's not on the ballot. While political analysts don't expect massive gains by Democrats, Trump and Republicans aren't taking any chances. In the week leading up to the election, Trump has scheduled rallies, sometimes as many as two a day, taking aim at hot-button issues such as immigration to motivate his base. Voters in the Washington area spoke to Reuters about issues that are most important to them -- ranging from women's rights, immigration, health care, and the Supreme Court. All agree that voting and being a part of the democratic process is crucial. David Butler is a financial planner in the Baltimore area, who enjoys fishing in the Chesapeake Bay after work. "I think everybody should vote and vote how they feel," he said. Butler believes the controversy surrounding the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh could spur conservative voters to the polls. Stacie Lee Banks is the co-owner of a family floral design business in Washington. She believes that women have been undermined since Trump took office and hopes the political discourse will change if people vote in large numbers. But Banks is far from optimistic. "I feel kinda hopeless, a little hopeless or I feel a little bit of despair," she said. "I don't know if the other parts of the country are feeling the same way." Women's groups have been focused on boosting voter turnout following Trump's election which drew massive protest crowds to Washington a day after his inauguration. Rallying points of sexual harassment, reproductive rights, Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, and a record number of female candidates running for office could all factor in. Thu Tran is a naturalized US citizen who resides in Virginia. She left her native Vietnam in 1988 to escape repression from the communist government. She is also hopeful the results of the election will benefit women. "A lot of women (are) angry, but I think after the election, maybe something change," Tran told Reuters. Richard Bell works at a seafood market in Baltimore and is troubled by the divisive and polarized nature of the current political climate. He looks to support candidates that will overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. Bell says the Democratic party has become "vicious" and admits debating politics on social media has damaged some of his friendships. Democrats have focused much of their closing messaging on defending the 2010 Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, and its protection of insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Trump and Republicans have ramped up attention on immigration, including a caravan of migrants from Central America headed through Mexico toward the U.S. border. Candidates from both major parties are urging their supporters to vote early and data shows record numbers of people have already voted.

What matters most? Voters sound off on US midterm elections

Early turnout by young voters has surged ahead of Tuesday's congressional midterm elections, powered by gains in states whose voters are pivotal to Democrats' chances of winning back control of the US Congress.

Young American activists, angry over President Donald Trump and a wave of deadly school shootings, had vowed to get their peers to the polls in unprecedented numbers. The initial turnout, along with the results of opinion polls, higher registration rates and increased absentee ballot requests, suggests their political enthusiasm has not waned.

"In fact, as we get closer, I think it’s only likely to increase," said John Della Volpe, polling director at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics.

That could be good news for Democrats, who need a younger, more diverse electorate to win some of their toughest races. Young voters are more likely to be Democratic, and Reuters/Ipsos polling has found young Democrats are more likely than young Republicans to say they are certain to vote this year.

Initial estimates modeled from survey responses, voter registrations and other data show huge increases in early turnout of voters ages 18-29 compared with the last midterm elections in 2014.

In Republican-leaning Texas and Georgia, early and absentee voting by people under 30 has increased by more than 400 per cent, according to TargetSmart, a Democratic data firm tracking early voting nationwide.

In Florida and Arizona, ballots cast by young voters are up 131 per cent and 217 per cent, respectively, from 2014, TargetSmart's analysis shows.

In comparison, among voters ages 30-39, voting is up by 121 per cent in Florida and 172 per cent in Arizona, the analysis shows.

Those states feature some of this cycle's highest-profile races, including the progressive campaigns of Beto O'Rourke for a US&nbsp;Senate seat in Texas, and Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams for governor in Florida and Georgia, respectively.

Overall early voting in those four states has topped their 2014 levels, fueled by increased turnout across all ages. Young voters registered the biggest gains but still had the lowest turnout so far of any age group.

Early voting data does not reveal how someone voted and does not indicate what turnout will look like on Election Day.

Jesse Hunt, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Republicans should also benefit from the rising turnout of young voters due largely to the strong economy.

"Recent college graduates will see the best labour market in years thanks to the policies implemented by this Republican-led Congress, and those voters will be receptive to the Republican agenda," Hunt said.

Flummoxed by stamps

Beating the 2014 turnout is not that hard given how weak it was for young voters, said Daniel Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida who is tracking voting data.

"Youth are energized, but so is everyone else this election," he said.

In the 2014 midterm election, only about 16 per cent of adults ages 18-24 voted, compared with about 39 per cent of Americans overall, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Midterm elections in 1986 and 1994 marked the highest turnout for voters under 30 in recent decades at 21 per cent, census data shows.

"Younger voters have gotten registered," Smith said. "But it’s not like an automatic that they’re going to start voting."

Voting rights groups say they have been especially creative this year to get young voters to the polls.

NextGen America, founded by billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer, has targeted college campuses. At the University of South Florida in Tampa, the group made students “pinkie promise” to vote in exchange for ring pops and even helped carry boxes into residence halls on move-in day – while registering students to vote.

“Students aren’t apathetic,” said Rachel Clay, southeast regional coordinator for the Campus Vote Project. "They are often first-time voters, there are ID problems, they often don’t have a car, they have classes all day. Voting is treated as kind of a hassle, rather than being something to be excited about."

Enthusiasm high

There are signs this year could be different.

A Harvard poll released this week showed Americans under 30 are much more interested in voting than the past two midterm cycles.

Forty per cent of those polled said they would "definitely vote" in the upcoming elections, up from 27 per cent in 2010 and 26 per cent in 2014.

Della Volpe said actual turnout typically trails the polling data by the high-single digits, still putting this year's turnout on track to potentially surpass previous midterm cycles.

Both Democrats and Republicans indicated increased enthusiasm since the spring, with 54 per cent of Democrats intending to vote and 43 per cent of Republicans planning to do so.

"We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm we’re seeing across the country, but there’s a lot of work to be done," said Tyler Law, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Katelyn Dino, a junior at LaGrange College in Georgia, said Tuesday will mark the first time she votes in a non-presidential year. She plans to cast her ballot for Abrams.

"I am actually skipping school on November 6 to go vote," Dino said.

Early turnout by young voters has surged ahead of Tuesday's congressional midterm elections, powered by gains in states whose voters are pivotal to Democrats' chances of winning back control of the US Congress.

Early turnout by young voters has surged ahead of Tuesday's congressional midterm elections, powered by gains in states whose voters are pivotal to Democrats' chances of winning back control of the US Congress. Young American activists, angry over President Donald Trump and a wave of deadly school shootings, had vowed to get their peers to the polls in unprecedented numbers. The initial turnout, along with the results of opinion polls, higher registration rates and increased absentee ballot requests, suggests their political enthusiasm has not waned. "In fact, as we get closer, I think it’s only likely to increase," said John Della Volpe, polling director at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. That could be good news for Democrats, who need a younger, more diverse electorate to win some of their toughest races. Young voters are more likely to be Democratic, and Reuters/Ipsos polling has found young Democrats are more likely than young Republicans to say they are certain to vote this year. Initial estimates modeled from survey responses, voter registrations and other data show huge increases in early turnout of voters ages 18-29 compared with the last midterm elections in 2014. In Republican-leaning Texas and Georgia, early and absentee voting by people under 30 has increased by more than 400 per cent, according to TargetSmart, a Democratic data firm tracking early voting nationwide. In Florida and Arizona, ballots cast by young voters are up 131 per cent and 217 per cent, respectively, from 2014, TargetSmart's analysis shows. In comparison, among voters ages 30-39, voting is up by 121 per cent in Florida and 172 per cent in Arizona, the analysis shows. Those states feature some of this cycle's highest-profile races, including the progressive campaigns of Beto O'Rourke for a US Senate seat in Texas, and Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams for governor in Florida and Georgia, respectively. Overall early voting in those four states has topped their 2014 levels, fueled by increased turnout across all ages. Young voters registered the biggest gains but still had the lowest turnout so far of any age group. Early voting data does not reveal how someone voted and does not indicate what turnout will look like on Election Day. Jesse Hunt, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Republicans should also benefit from the rising turnout of young voters due largely to the strong economy. "Recent college graduates will see the best labour market in years thanks to the policies implemented by this Republican-led Congress, and those voters will be receptive to the Republican agenda," Hunt said. Flummoxed by stamps Beating the 2014 turnout is not that hard given how weak it was for young voters, said Daniel Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida who is tracking voting data. "Youth are energized, but so is everyone else this election," he said. In the 2014 midterm election, only about 16 per cent of adults ages 18-24 voted, compared with about 39 per cent of Americans overall, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Midterm elections in 1986 and 1994 marked the highest turnout for voters under 30 in recent decades at 21 per cent, census data shows. "Younger voters have gotten registered," Smith said. "But it’s not like an automatic that they’re going to start voting." Voting rights groups say they have been especially creative this year to get young voters to the polls. NextGen America, founded by billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer, has targeted college campuses. At the University of South Florida in Tampa, the group made students “pinkie promise” to vote in exchange for ring pops and even helped carry boxes into residence halls on move-in day – while registering students to vote. “Students aren’t apathetic,” said Rachel Clay, southeast regional coordinator for the Campus Vote Project. "They are often first-time voters, there are ID problems, they often don’t have a car, they have classes all day. Voting is treated as kind of a hassle, rather than being something to be excited about." Enthusiasm high There are signs this year could be different. A Harvard poll released this week showed Americans under 30 are much more interested in voting than the past two midterm cycles. Forty per cent of those polled said they would "definitely vote" in the upcoming elections, up from 27 per cent in 2010 and 26 per cent in 2014. Della Volpe said actual turnout typically trails the polling data by the high-single digits, still putting this year's turnout on track to potentially surpass previous midterm cycles. Both Democrats and Republicans indicated increased enthusiasm since the spring, with 54 per cent of Democrats intending to vote and 43 per cent of Republicans planning to do so. "We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm we’re seeing across the country, but there’s a lot of work to be done," said Tyler Law, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Katelyn Dino, a junior at LaGrange College in Georgia, said Tuesday will mark the first time she votes in a non-presidential year. She plans to cast her ballot for Abrams. "I am actually skipping school on November 6 to go vote," Dino said.

Young US voter turnout surges, but challenges linger

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US&nbsp;Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel.

The state's 8th District has become a rare bright spot on the map for congressional Republicans ahead of Tuesday's elections, made rosier thanks to the decision by three-term Democratic incumbent Rick Nolan not to run again after winning his last election in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point.

That has left Democrat Joe Radinovich trying to hold on to the region's miners and farmers.

Forecasts show Republican St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber with a good shot of flipping the district to the Republicans in a year Democrats are expected to easily pick up the additional 23 House of Representative seats they would need for a majority. Republicans, however, are favouredCHISHOLM to hold on to the Senate.

A former police officer, Stauber is running as a moderate Republican, focusing on promoting economic growth, supporting gun rights and expanding mining in the District's national parks. He has broken from his party to say he would not repeal the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare program, but praised Trump's tariffs.

"The steel dumping in this country should have been stopped decades ago. I'm happy the Trump administration has acted," Stauber, 52, said in a Tuesday night debate. "I know that those steel tariffs were good for the Iron Range and the families on the Iron Range."

A New York Times/Siena College poll taken October 11 to 14 showed Stauber ahead by 15 percentage points.

Iron range

Minnesota's Iron Range has all the making of "Trump Country" - a rugged, rural region studded with iron taconite mines that feed much of the nation's steel production. Highway billboards thank Trump for imposing 25 per cent tariffs on foreign steel.

Unhappy miners - including coal and iron ore workers - were a central piece of Trump's electoral coalition. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's promises to revitalize the metals industry helped pave the way for wins in the former industrial heartlands of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Trump failed to win Minnesota, but carried its 8th District by 15 percentage points - flipping a district that voted for Democrats in the four previous presidential election cycles.

Brandy Fraser, 70, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, said she has raised a Democrat but became a Republican after watching the party move to the left.

Fraser said she liked Stauber's support of Trump's immigration platform, including building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and ending birthright citizenship.

"He's going to help do it," Fraser said.

'Underdog'

Radinovich, 32, has raised $1.9 million, while Stauber had raised $1.6 million, as of Oct. 17. Super PACs and other outside groups have tipped the balance for the Republican, pouring in about $6 million, compared with about $670,000 by Democratic outside groups.

"They have spent enough money against me to make us the underdog in this race," Radinovich told supporters on Tuesday night. "This isn't the first time in my life I've been an underdog."

Democrat Hillary Clinton did strongly in parts of the Iron Range in 2016 and Radinovich aims to generate enough enthusiasm in those areas to keep the district Democratic.

On Wednesday, two of his supporters, Cary Pershern, 40, and Dave Smith, 42, took a break from knocking on doors in Hibbing to grab lunch with Radinovich.

Dressed in a United Steel Workers jacket, Pershern said he had faced an uphill battle in persuading fellow miners who credit Trump for their current economic prosperity.

"You get both sides - people who are pro-Trump and think he did everything single-handedly, you also have people who know that these tariffs that are being put in are against the wrong countries," he said.

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel.

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel. The state's 8th District has become a rare bright spot on the map for congressional Republicans ahead of Tuesday's elections, made rosier thanks to the decision by three-term Democratic incumbent Rick Nolan not to run again after winning his last election in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point. That has left Democrat Joe Radinovich trying to hold on to the region's miners and farmers. Forecasts show Republican St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber with a good shot of flipping the district to the Republicans in a year Democrats are expected to easily pick up the additional 23 House of Representative seats they would need for a majority. Republicans, however, are favouredCHISHOLM to hold on to the Senate. A former police officer, Stauber is running as a moderate Republican, focusing on promoting economic growth, supporting gun rights and expanding mining in the District's national parks. He has broken from his party to say he would not repeal the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare program, but praised Trump's tariffs. "The steel dumping in this country should have been stopped decades ago. I'm happy the Trump administration has acted," Stauber, 52, said in a Tuesday night debate. "I know that those steel tariffs were good for the Iron Range and the families on the Iron Range." A New York Times/Siena College poll taken October 11 to 14 showed Stauber ahead by 15 percentage points. Iron range Minnesota's Iron Range has all the making of "Trump Country" - a rugged, rural region studded with iron taconite mines that feed much of the nation's steel production. Highway billboards thank Trump for imposing 25 per cent tariffs on foreign steel. Unhappy miners - including coal and iron ore workers - were a central piece of Trump's electoral coalition. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's promises to revitalize the metals industry helped pave the way for wins in the former industrial heartlands of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Trump failed to win Minnesota, but carried its 8th District by 15 percentage points - flipping a district that voted for Democrats in the four previous presidential election cycles. Brandy Fraser, 70, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, said she has raised a Democrat but became a Republican after watching the party move to the left. Fraser said she liked Stauber's support of Trump's immigration platform, including building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and ending birthright citizenship. "He's going to help do it," Fraser said. 'Underdog' Radinovich, 32, has raised $1.9 million, while Stauber had raised $1.6 million, as of Oct. 17. Super PACs and other outside groups have tipped the balance for the Republican, pouring in about $6 million, compared with about $670,000 by Democratic outside groups. "They have spent enough money against me to make us the underdog in this race," Radinovich told supporters on Tuesday night. "This isn't the first time in my life I've been an underdog." Democrat Hillary Clinton did strongly in parts of the Iron Range in 2016 and Radinovich aims to generate enough enthusiasm in those areas to keep the district Democratic. On Wednesday, two of his supporters, Cary Pershern, 40, and Dave Smith, 42, took a break from knocking on doors in Hibbing to grab lunch with Radinovich. Dressed in a United Steel Workers jacket, Pershern said he had faced an uphill battle in persuading fellow miners who credit Trump for their current economic prosperity. "You get both sides - people who are pro-Trump and think he did everything single-handedly, you also have people who know that these tariffs that are being put in are against the wrong countries," he said.

Democrat struggles to keep hold on teetering Minnesota district

Just five days before the midterm elections in the US, President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have posted an advertisement which has infuriated the online world.

The racially charged political ad, tweeted by Trump on Wednesday, accuses Democrats of plotting to help Central American "invaders" overrun the nation with police killers.

"It is outrageous what the Democrats are doing to our Country. Vote Republican now!" Trump has said in his tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
It is outrageous what the Democrats are doing to our Country. Vote Republican now! <a href="https://t.co/0pWiwCHGbh">https://t.co/0pWiwCHGbh</a> <a href="https://t.co/2crea9HF7G">pic.twitter.com/2crea9HF7G</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1057728445386539008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The ad - produced for the Trump campaign - features Luis Bracamontes, a Mexican man who had previously been deported but returned to the US and was convicted in February in the killing of two California deputies.

"I'm going to kill more cops soon," a grinning Bracamontes is shown saying in court as captions flash across the screen reading "Democrats let him into our country. Democrats let him stay".

While some Twitter users have compared this ad to George Bush's racist ad on Willie Horton, others called it "a new low in campaigning".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Response of <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFlake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffFlake</a> to this new Trump ad: “This is just a new low in campaigning. It’s sickening.” <a href="https://t.co/f6oyjId6O7">https://t.co/f6oyjId6O7</a>
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1057783680222015489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Thirty years ago, George H.W. Bush released his infamous fear-mongering, racist ad on Willie Horton. 
 
This Trump ad is worse. Far worse. <a href="https://t.co/jLFbhU8FLs">https://t.co/jLFbhU8FLs</a>
— Eric Umansky (@ericuman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericuman/status/1057818332831866880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Can we please not spend the next 5 days - or even the next one day -talking about this ad? That would be exactly the reaction Trump wants, as it would keep us from talking about healthcare or jobs or climate change or the rampant corruption of the Trump admin
— DC Deciphered (@DCdeciphered) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCdeciphered/status/1057871638933499905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Five days before the midterm elections Trump tweeted the most extreme step yet in the most inflammatory closing argument of any campaign in recent memory. His campaign ad was the latest example of his willingness to lie and fear-monger.
— Mittens&amp;TinyDancer (@MTinydancer) <a href="https://twitter.com/MTinydancer/status/1057871446037483520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The ad also flashes footage of the migrant caravan of Central American asylum seekers that is currently in Mexico.

"Who else would Democrats let in?" a caption asks.

The ad recalls the notorious "Willie Horton" campaign financed by supporters of the former President George Bush's campaign in the 1988 presidential election.

Horton was a man and convicted murderer who committed rape while furloughed under a programme in Massachusetts where Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis was Governor.

The ad has since been deemed as one of the most racially problematic in modern political history since it played into white fear and African-American stereotypes, CNN said.

Reacting to the ad, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said on Wednesday night the ad was a sign of desperation and suggested that Trump was losing the argument over health care that is at the centre of the Democratic campaign.

"This is distracting, divisive Donald at his worst," Perez told CNN.

"This is fear mongering... They have to fear monger and his dog whistle of all dog whistles is immigration. This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long."

Just five days before the midterm elections in the US, President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have posted an advertisement which has infuriated the online world.

Just five days before the midterm elections in the US, President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have posted an advertisement which has infuriated the online world. The racially charged political ad, tweeted by Trump on Wednesday, accuses Democrats of plotting to help Central American "invaders" overrun the nation with police killers. "It is outrageous what the Democrats are doing to our Country. Vote Republican now!" Trump has said in his tweet. It is outrageous what the Democrats are doing to our Country. Vote Republican now! https://t.co/0pWiwCHGbh pic.twitter.com/2crea9HF7G — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2018 × The ad - produced for the Trump campaign - features Luis Bracamontes, a Mexican man who had previously been deported but returned to the US and was convicted in February in the killing of two California deputies. "I'm going to kill more cops soon," a grinning Bracamontes is shown saying in court as captions flash across the screen reading "Democrats let him into our country. Democrats let him stay". While some Twitter users have compared this ad to George Bush's racist ad on Willie Horton, others called it "a new low in campaigning". Response of @JeffFlake to this new Trump ad: “This is just a new low in campaigning. It’s sickening.” https://t.co/f6oyjId6O7 — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) October 31, 2018 × Thirty years ago, George H.W. Bush released his infamous fear-mongering, racist ad on Willie Horton. This Trump ad is worse. Far worse. https://t.co/jLFbhU8FLs — Eric Umansky (@ericuman) November 1, 2018 × Can we please not spend the next 5 days - or even the next one day -talking about this ad? That would be exactly the reaction Trump wants, as it would keep us from talking about healthcare or jobs or climate change or the rampant corruption of the Trump admin — DC Deciphered (@DCdeciphered) November 1, 2018 × Five days before the midterm elections Trump tweeted the most extreme step yet in the most inflammatory closing argument of any campaign in recent memory. His campaign ad was the latest example of his willingness to lie and fear-monger. — Mittens&TinyDancer (@MTinydancer) November 1, 2018 × The ad also flashes footage of the migrant caravan of Central American asylum seekers that is currently in Mexico. "Who else would Democrats let in?" a caption asks. The ad recalls the notorious "Willie Horton" campaign financed by supporters of the former President George Bush's campaign in the 1988 presidential election. Horton was a man and convicted murderer who committed rape while furloughed under a programme in Massachusetts where Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis was Governor. The ad has since been deemed as one of the most racially problematic in modern political history since it played into white fear and African-American stereotypes, CNN said. Reacting to the ad, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said on Wednesday night the ad was a sign of desperation and suggested that Trump was losing the argument over health care that is at the centre of the Democratic campaign. "This is distracting, divisive Donald at his worst," Perez told CNN. "This is fear mongering... They have to fear monger and his dog whistle of all dog whistles is immigration. This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long."

US President Donald Trump shocks with racist new ad before midterm polls

When Donald Trump met with advisers about his plans for campaign appearances in the final weeks for the battle for control of the US Congress, the president surprised them by insisting they add more events to an already-crowded schedule.

His strategy for the final stretch has been simple: Drive Republican turnout by focusing on an issue that appeals to his core supporters - illegal immigration - using as a foil a large group of Central American migrants making their way slowly through Mexico towards the US border.

And he aimed to keep talking about how Democrats tried to block Brett Kavanaugh from ascending to the US Supreme Court, plus economic gains in the country under his watch.

"This will be the election of the Kavanaughs and the caravans and law and order and tax cuts," Trump told a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 26.

Trump's desire to focus on red-meat issues was rattled by two shocking cases of political violence as he ploughed into an eight-state blitz ahead of Tuesday's congressional elections.

Non-stop cable TV coverage of pipe bombs mailed to prominent political opponents of Trump and of a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue upended his goal of dominating the news. And the freewheeling format of his rallies can complicate the White House`s efforts at delivering a carefully crafted closing message to voters ahead of the elections.&nbsp;

Trump has had to divert from his usual stump speeches and make a rare appeal for political unity, even as he is accused of stoking divisions with his scathing attacks on key Democratic figures and figures in the US news media.

Given the media's focus on the twin calamities, Trump and his aides are struggling to keep up the momentum ahead of the November 6 vote, which will determine whether Trump`s fellow Republicans retain majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Trump upped the ante on Tuesday, saying he would issue an executive order curtailing so-called "birthright citizenship" to try to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens.

Such an order would immediately be challenged in federal court as unconstitutional, and some of Trump's network of outside advisers worried the president was creating an unnecessary distraction.

"The president is making a mistake when he’s trying to roll out a new immigration policy that is undeniably going to be stopped in the federal courts," said one Trump confidant, who asked not to be identified.

The White House countered criticism of Trump`s proposal by saying there is a wider need for reforms. "We have massive loopholes in our immigration system that we have to close," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Fox News.

'Huge crowd'

Opinion polls indicate that Democrats have a good chance of making the net gain of 23 seats they need to win control of the House, but are less likely to capture a majority in the Senate.

Trump's final blitz of campaigning includes 11 rallies in eight states, mostly focused on US Senate races. They include two stops in Florida, two in Missouri and visits to West Virginia, Indiana, Montana, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio - all states Trump won in the 2016 presidential election.

"These are places where data and polling information tells us that the president is of best use. He doesn’t go to places that are sure-fire wins nor does he go to places that are sure fire-losses," said a Trump adviser.

Trump and his aides believe putting him in front of crowds will help convince voters who provided him with his upset victory in 2016 to turn out in a midterm election, when turnout is typically lower than in presidential years.

"These huge crowds - Donald Trump is still the only person who comes without a band, an instrument, a singing voice or a sermon to pack these houses," said senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway.

Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring and who has been a steady critic of the president, said Trump should be using his microphone to unite, not divide Americans after the mailed pipe bombs and the killing of 11 people at the synagogue.

“These events are horrific enough, so we ought to try to make something good come from the tragedy. Something good would be to unify the country and moving away from this kind of rhetoric. That’s what he hasn’t done," the Arizona senator told Reuters in a telephone interview.

The White House said Trump will continue to draw a contrast with his Democratic opponents.

'Massive hole'

Trump aides acknowledge that holding onto the House is a challenging prospect, and say Republicans` goal this year is to minimise losses.&nbsp;

"The party in power usually loses many seats and there are 43 Republican retirements and I think that this a massive hole to dig out of," said Conway.

If Democrats take over the House, Trump`s administration will suddenly be exposed to congressional investigations that would weigh heavily on him for the next two years.

Major legislation would also likely fall to the wayside, such as his signature bid to build a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico to thwart illegal immigration.

But for Trump personally, there could be benefits.

A Democratic House would give him a target ahead of his 2020 re-election campaign and would probably prompt what some consider house-cleaning in the Republican hierarchy in Washington - changes that could usher in more Trump allies.

Perhaps preemptively seeking a silver lining, the Trump confidant struck a contrarian tone and said Republicans winning both chambers of Congress would be a negative for Trump "because there&nbsp;

When Donald Trump met with advisers about his plans for campaign appearances in the final weeks for the battle for control of the US Congress, the president surprised them by insisting they add more events to an already-crowded schedule.

When Donald Trump met with advisers about his plans for campaign appearances in the final weeks for the battle for control of the US Congress, the president surprised them by insisting they add more events to an already-crowded schedule. His strategy for the final stretch has been simple: Drive Republican turnout by focusing on an issue that appeals to his core supporters - illegal immigration - using as a foil a large group of Central American migrants making their way slowly through Mexico towards the US border. And he aimed to keep talking about how Democrats tried to block Brett Kavanaugh from ascending to the US Supreme Court, plus economic gains in the country under his watch. "This will be the election of the Kavanaughs and the caravans and law and order and tax cuts," Trump told a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 26. Trump's desire to focus on red-meat issues was rattled by two shocking cases of political violence as he ploughed into an eight-state blitz ahead of Tuesday's congressional elections. Non-stop cable TV coverage of pipe bombs mailed to prominent political opponents of Trump and of a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue upended his goal of dominating the news. And the freewheeling format of his rallies can complicate the White House`s efforts at delivering a carefully crafted closing message to voters ahead of the elections. Trump has had to divert from his usual stump speeches and make a rare appeal for political unity, even as he is accused of stoking divisions with his scathing attacks on key Democratic figures and figures in the US news media. Given the media's focus on the twin calamities, Trump and his aides are struggling to keep up the momentum ahead of the November 6 vote, which will determine whether Trump`s fellow Republicans retain majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. Trump upped the ante on Tuesday, saying he would issue an executive order curtailing so-called "birthright citizenship" to try to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens. Such an order would immediately be challenged in federal court as unconstitutional, and some of Trump's network of outside advisers worried the president was creating an unnecessary distraction. "The president is making a mistake when he’s trying to roll out a new immigration policy that is undeniably going to be stopped in the federal courts," said one Trump confidant, who asked not to be identified. The White House countered criticism of Trump`s proposal by saying there is a wider need for reforms. "We have massive loopholes in our immigration system that we have to close," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Fox News. 'Huge crowd' Opinion polls indicate that Democrats have a good chance of making the net gain of 23 seats they need to win control of the House, but are less likely to capture a majority in the Senate. Trump's final blitz of campaigning includes 11 rallies in eight states, mostly focused on US Senate races. They include two stops in Florida, two in Missouri and visits to West Virginia, Indiana, Montana, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio - all states Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. "These are places where data and polling information tells us that the president is of best use. He doesn’t go to places that are sure-fire wins nor does he go to places that are sure fire-losses," said a Trump adviser. Trump and his aides believe putting him in front of crowds will help convince voters who provided him with his upset victory in 2016 to turn out in a midterm election, when turnout is typically lower than in presidential years. "These huge crowds - Donald Trump is still the only person who comes without a band, an instrument, a singing voice or a sermon to pack these houses," said senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring and who has been a steady critic of the president, said Trump should be using his microphone to unite, not divide Americans after the mailed pipe bombs and the killing of 11 people at the synagogue. “These events are horrific enough, so we ought to try to make something good come from the tragedy. Something good would be to unify the country and moving away from this kind of rhetoric. That’s what he hasn’t done," the Arizona senator told Reuters in a telephone interview. The White House said Trump will continue to draw a contrast with his Democratic opponents. 'Massive hole' Trump aides acknowledge that holding onto the House is a challenging prospect, and say Republicans` goal this year is to minimise losses. "The party in power usually loses many seats and there are 43 Republican retirements and I think that this a massive hole to dig out of," said Conway. If Democrats take over the House, Trump`s administration will suddenly be exposed to congressional investigations that would weigh heavily on him for the next two years. Major legislation would also likely fall to the wayside, such as his signature bid to build a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico to thwart illegal immigration. But for Trump personally, there could be benefits. A Democratic House would give him a target ahead of his 2020 re-election campaign and would probably prompt what some consider house-cleaning in the Republican hierarchy in Washington - changes that could usher in more Trump allies. Perhaps preemptively seeking a silver lining, the Trump confidant struck a contrarian tone and said Republicans winning both chambers of Congress would be a negative for Trump "because there

US midterms: Trump's final campaign stretch rattled by twin calamities

US midterm polls 2018: Immigration becomes a key issue

US midterm polls 2018: How elections could ripple through markets

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