Candidates Sprint to Finish in Campaign’s Final Hours
As the final hours before Election Day unfolded, political candidates across the United States made their closing pitches to voters in contentious midterm contests that will decide the balance of power in Congress. High-stakes campaigns played out nationwide on Monday, fueled by heavy early voter turnout that has already surpassed totals from previous midterms in major Senate battlegrounds.
The outcome of the elections is expected to be heavily influenced by public sentiment toward President Trump and voter frustration over economic conditions, including the rising cost of living. While President Trump urged his base to turn out and brace for results, Democrats expressed growing optimism about the possibility of flipping control of the Senate following recent polls in competitive states.
Legal battles also marked the eve of the election. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by the administration to force California to set aside 20,000 mail-in ballots allegedly provided to noncitizens. Additionally, a federal judge in Washington declined a separate request by Democratic lawmakers to block federal efforts aimed at screening incoming ballots, noting that targeted states had successfully rebuffed interference so far.
Candidates spent the final stretch holding rallies, bus tours, and community events in states ranging from Texas and South Carolina to Michigan and Maine. With tens of millions of ballots already cast, campaigns entered their final moments urging supporters not to leave anything to chance before polls close.
