Harris County voters decide who controls Congress for Trump's final term

Polls across Harris County opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday and will remain open until 7 p.m., according to Ballotpedia. The state is divided between the Central and Mountain time zones, but local election officials advise residents in Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, and Baytown to check their specific polling locations at vote.gov. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to cast a ballot. The day marks the midpoint of President Donald Trump's second term, with voters deciding which party controls the U.S. House and Senate for his remaining two years.

In Texas, voters are choosing a U.S. Senator for an open seat and deciding whether incumbent Governor Greg Abbott retains his office. Ballotpedia notes that the parties on the ballot for these federal and state races include the Democratic, Independent, Libertarian, and Republican parties. Every U.S. House seat in the state is also on the ballot. The Associated Press describes the national election as a referendum on Trump's second term, noting that many voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters.

The outcome of the House race will determine if Democrats can gain the net three seats needed for a majority. Currently, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214. If Democrats win, House Leader Hakeem Jeffries would become the first Black speaker of the House. Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. The Associated Press reports that if Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. This shift would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, while potentially complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance.

The Senate race in Texas is being contested by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Trump backed Paxton in the primary over incumbent Senator John Cornyn. According to the Associated Press, the race is considered competitive. Nationwide, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, while Democrats hold 45 plus two independents. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority. The Associated Press notes that one or two Senate seats could tip the chamber, with battlegrounds including Maine, Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result, adding to the legal complexities surrounding the election.

Beyond the federal chambers, voters in 36 states are choosing governors. Republicans currently hold 26 governorships and Democrats hold 24. In Texas, incumbent Greg Abbott is running for re-election. The Associated Press identifies Texas, Florida, and Iowa as competitive governor races. Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a position Republicans have held since 2010. In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is challenging Republican health care executive Rick Jackson. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy faces Amy Acton, with Ramaswamy's campaign facing backlash over an ad featuring Acton's estranged mother.

The Associated Press reports that more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. The election is expected to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the committee level, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in states where he won by 10 points or more.

Voters in Harris County are also deciding on state and local offices and measures that vary by county. The United States Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely, as Reuters notes that outcomes could add to investor concerns about artificial intelligence spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The mood among Democrats is described as cautiously optimistic, while Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate. The Associated Press notes that new congressional maps in Texas and five other states may not vote as drawn, challenging the redistricting efforts by Republicans.

In Kansas, Trump held a rally in Salina on Sunday, telling voters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the President. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats fear interference as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials. The Associated Press notes that about 7 in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming Trump for high prices. Only 35% of U.S. adults approve of his job performance.

For voters in Harris County, the day represents a critical choice for the final two years of the current administration. The Associated Press quotes RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, who stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." Conversely, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said, "The American people are angry. They want change." Individual voters reflect these sentiments. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump and thinks he is doing an awesome job. James Moore, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything."