Final US midterm polls close as vote counting continues nationwide

The final scheduled polling stations closed in the US midterm elections early Wednesday as voting ended in Alaska's western Aleutian Islands, with election officials continuing to count ballots in congressional and state races across the country.

Polling hours ended at 1 am Eastern (0600GMT) Wednesday in the western Aleutians, an hour after polls closed in the island state of Hawaii and most of Alaska, completing scheduled voting across all 50 states.

Voting had already concluded across the contiguous US, with the final West Coast polling stations closing at 11 pm Eastern Tuesday following earlier waves in states including Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New York.

Election officials continued reporting results, although closely contested races and differences in state counting procedures could delay final outcomes.

Americans voted to elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 senators, governors in 36 states, and other state and local officials.

Republicans entered Election Day controlling both chambers of Congress, while Democrats sought to gain control of at least one chamber and limit President Donald Trump's ability to advance his legislative agenda.

Democrats are projected to have won both houses of Congress, according to US media.

The elections determined the composition of Congress for the final two years of Trump's second term, with newly elected lawmakers scheduled to take office on Jan. 3, 2027.