[US Midterm Elections] Voting Enthusiasm Everywhere, Will the 'Red Wave' Be Confirmed... Trump Says "See You at Mar-a-Lago on the 15th"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] On the morning of the 8th (local time), when the power of the US Congress was being reshaped, New Yorkers kept coming and going without rest at Frank McCourt High School located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, to vote.

Ms. Christina Gray, whom I met in front of the polling station, took a selfie first to make the 'I voted' sticker on her upper garment show well. Gray, who said she had been a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party, hinted that her choice had changed in this election by saying, "I am angry about the high inflation and too much crime." Mr. Tyler Jones, whom I met at the same place, said, "The economy is not good," but added, "Isn't that a global problem? I thought the direction and values the US should take were more important," pointing to the blue (the Democratic Party's symbolic color) padded vest he was wearing.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The midterm elections, which have a strong character as a midterm evaluation of President Joe Biden's administration, began sequentially across the United States on the morning of the 8th.

In this midterm election, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, all 435 House of Representatives seats, governors of 36 states, and state legislators of 46 states will be newly elected. The results of this election are expected to change the balance of power in Congress, as well as determine the future trajectory of legislation related to abortion, immigration, and crime, and the momentum of the Biden administration. [Related Article] 'US Midterm Elections'

◆Voting begins nationwide... Some machine failures in certain areas, generally smooth

The first vote started at 5 a.m. in Vermont on the East Coast (7 p.m. Korean time), and voting is proceeding in the order of Central and Western time zones according to the time difference. Voting ends starting from 6 p.m. in Kentucky and Indiana. Most states finish voting between 7 and 8 p.m. and begin counting votes.

Accordingly, the outline of the election results is expected to gradually emerge around midnight on the same day (2 p.m. Korean time on the 7th). However, many states are expected to take several days or weeks to finalize the results. AP News reported that New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, California, and Alaska may fall into this category. Many battlegrounds or regions significant to each party are included.

The election is proceeding without major incidents, although some machine failures have been confirmed in certain areas. The US federal cybersecurity authorities said in a briefing after the start of voting that "no specific and credible threats to disrupt election infrastructure have been observed." This is a detailed verification by authorities to prevent a repeat of the 2016 presidential election situation where Russia interfered with voting through hacking.

However, some counties in Texas, New Jersey, and Arizona reported problems such as some machines not working. In some parts of Pennsylvania, the start of voting was delayed because operators arrived late. The New York Times (NYT) reported that in northern Nevada, a snowstorm caused voters who came to vote to rush into a mall to escape the subzero cold. The snowstorm is expected to intensify again in the afternoon, which could affect voter turnout.

Already, about 45 million people in 47 states have completed early voting, far surpassing the scale of early voting in 2018. Local media reported that this is the largest number in the history of midterm elections. In Georgia, considered one of the battlegrounds, early voting accounts for 37% of all voters. This high early voting enthusiasm is also reported by local media as a reason why the final results of this election are expected to be announced later than usual. President Biden also cast his early vote last month in Delaware.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

◆Congressional power reshaped for the next two years... Trump hints at presidential run, "Meet at Mar-a-Lago on the 15th"

This year's midterm election is inevitably impactful not only for the remaining two years of the term depending on how congressional power is reshaped but also for the next presidential election scheduled for 2024, effectively being evaluated as a 'mini presidential election' between President Biden and his political rival, former President Donald Trump.

President Biden encouraged voting on Twitter, saying, "It's Election Day in America. Let your voice be heard. Vote." He also criticized the Republican Party, saying, "I am focused on investing in America, but Republican lawmakers are trying to put programs like Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Former President Trump voted in Palm Beach, Florida. Leaving the polling station with his wife Melania Trump, he told reporters, "Tuesday (the 15th) will be a very interesting day," and "I look forward to meeting at Mar-a-Lago." This was a reiteration of his official timing for a presidential run announcement, which he had effectively formalized at his last rally held in Ohio the day before, saying he would make a "very big announcement" at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on the 15th. This is interpreted as a strategy to ride the momentum of the expected Republican victory in this election, known as the Red Wave, and proceed to a presidential run announcement. Former President Trump criticized, saying, "The country has gotten much worse," and "We have lost our way and confidence."

According to local polls, the Republican Party is currently likely to hold the majority in the House of Representatives. The Senate, which is a close contest, also has voices predicting Republican dominance. After finishing his last campaign rally the day before, President Biden returned to the White House and acknowledged the Republican advantage by saying, "The Democrats will continue to control the Senate, but the House will be tough." He also mentioned that if the Republicans take control of Congress, "governing will become more difficult."