It’s Election Day, and voters across the Suncoast are joining millions of Americans in deciding who controls Congress. All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot, along with hundreds of local races that shape everything from county commissions to school boards. Control of Congress will determine how easily President Donald Trump can move his agenda over the next two years.
Nearly 60 million people already voted early in person or by mail, out of roughly 250 million eligible voters. One caveat: early turnout numbers don’t reveal which party is gaining ground, so the real picture comes once today’s ballots are counted. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is deploying about 1,000 election monitors across all 50 states to check compliance with federal voting rights laws, its first effort to reach every state.
If some races look tight tonight, don’t be surprised if the outcomes take longer. Close contests and outstanding ballots can leave control of Congress unsettled past election night, and that’s been true in plenty of recent cycles. Whether you voted early, vote today, or just watch the returns, your voice is part of this.
Did you vote early, or are you heading to the polls today? Share your experience with us.
