Federal monitors expand to all 50 states for Tuesday's vote

Residents of Cuyahoga County will vote Tuesday in a contest that determines the balance of power in Washington. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs, alongside hundreds of local races. The outcome will define which party controls Congress and shape President Donald Trump’s ability to push his agenda over the next two years.

Voting activity began months ago. Nearly 60 million Americans cast ballots before Election Day, using either early in-person voting or mail ballots. Pew Research Center estimates roughly 250 million Americans are eligible to vote. Party registration data does not always predict candidate support, so early totals alone will not reveal which party is gaining ground.

The Justice Department announced a new oversight plan for this election. It is deploying approximately 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states. This marks the first time the department has conducted a monitoring effort that reaches every state. Their role involves checking compliance with federal voting rights laws, including protections against voter intimidation and requirements that ensure access for voters with disabilities.

The race for control of Congress may not conclude on election night. Close contests and the time required to count outstanding ballots could leave the final results unsettled for several days after polls close.