US votes in midterms as Trump faces test of his second presidency

Americans are heading to polling stations on November 3 for midterm elections widely viewed as a judgment on Donald Trump’s second presidency. Democrats hope to turn the president’s falling popularity into congressional gains and an opportunity to limit his power during the remaining years of his term. The party controlling the White House typically loses seats in Congress in midterm contests.

Voting comes amid renewed legal disputes over election integrity. The US Department of Justice in California has charged six additional people with alleged voter fraud offences. Separately, the supreme court rejected an effort to require California election officials to set aside and exclude ballots cast by people the department alleges are not US citizens.

Several state contests are drawing attention. Republicans who had hoped to capture a Senate seat in New Hampshire now fear Trump could damage their prospects. In Texas, James Talarico is seeking to end a losing streak for Democrats. Xavier Becerra is regarded as the clear favourite to become California governor, while in Michigan, Haley Stevens has reversed course to support Abdul El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, with Israel central to that shift.

Meanwhile, the US carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, hours after Vice-President JD Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the war. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that the targets were surface-to-air missiles being used against US assets. The island, at the entrance to the strait of Hormuz, has been used for attacks on shipping and has been struck by the US repeatedly.

In Ukraine, western officials said European forces potentially deployed as peacekeepers after a ceasefire would be permitted to return fire if Russian forces attacked them. The proposed force could include troops from Nato countries. Russia also bombed an aid distribution centre and a nearby shelter in southern Ukraine, killing at least 26 people.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on November 2 that American-led talks between Russia and Ukraine were expected to restart the following week in Abu Dhabi. Kyiv and its European allies have expressed concern that Trump has increasingly aligned himself with Moscow.

Elsewhere in the US, a child in rural northern New York died after contracting measles, the state’s first death from the disease in 30 years. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is pursuing measles outreach in the under-vaccinated Amish community. Local health officials in Washington state also reported that a resident died after being hospitalised with severe illness following a bird flu infection.

Heavy rain brought flash floods and mandatory evacuations to parts of the south-west over the weekend. A Colorado tourist town was preparing for its main river to reach historic levels. National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Hardin said the area was receiving the equivalent of two or three months of rain within a couple of days.