It’s Tuesday 3 November, which means that after months of campaigning, debate and analysis, the critical US midterm elections that will take the political temperature of the nation halfway through Donald Trump’s second term – and determine the trajectory of the remainder of his presidency – are finally upon us. Americans, who have already voted early in record numbers, will decide the balance of power in Congress and, therefore, Trump’s ability to advance his agenda for the next two years.

With the US president almost unprecedentedly unpopular, Democrats are aiming for what would be stunning victories in seats where, for decades, turning blue would have been unthinkable. Trump is not on the ballot, but this election is very much a referendum on the direction of the country under his Republican party.

Trump’s agenda has thrown the US into a deeply unpopular – and expensive – war alongside Israel against Iran, sparking a global energy crisis and regional conflict that remains unresolved. The war has exacerbated inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, which had already been worsened by Trump’s chaotic tariff policies. The un-affordability of basic living costs from groceries and gas to childcare, housing and healthcare has been a defining issue of this election, with concerns over the economy turning even deeply conservative seats competitive.

The second Trump administration has also overseen violent surges of federal immigration enforcement across Democrat-led cities, deeply divisive operations that killed two Americans earlier this year. The administration has pursued an aggressive and cruel mass deportation policy, slashed federal government agencies and Medicaid funding, supported the restriction of abortion rights in many states, and expanded presidential power in unprecedented ways.

And now, after months of gerrymandering, efforts to curtail voting rights, and scaremongering over election integrity as Republicans cling to power, also looming over this election is the question of whether Trump and his allies will accept the results.

This will be a defining moment for American democracy, so stick with us as we bring you all the latest news, analyses and commentary as it all unfolds.