Here are some key facts on the latest developments in the United States midterm elections:
- Democrats score key early victories in a bruising election fight that could sweep President Bush's Republicans out of power in Congress and increase pressure for a new policy in Iraq.
- Voters in Ohio elect a Democrat as governor for the first time in 16 years, taking one of several states destined to be key battlegrounds in the 2008 presidential race.
- In Pennsylvania, Democrat Bob Casey defeats Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate and one of the Democrats' biggest targets this year.
- In a tough lower house fight in Indiana, Democrat Brad Ellsworth beats Republican John Hostettler, one of three Republican House incumbents facing tough re-election bids.
- The first polls begin to close at 6 pm (1200 AEDT) in areas of Indiana and Kentucky, but it could be hours before results are known in many crucial races.
- Election officials, experts report electronic voting machine malfunctions in Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas, but say many of the problems are minor and temporary.
- All 435 House seats, 33 Senate seats and 36 governorships are at stake in the elections and Democrats would have to pick up 15 House seats and six Senate seats to take control of both chambers.
- About 50 contested House races and 10 Senate races are the chief battlegrounds.
- The battle for the House is fought largely in the East and Midwest.
- The elections follow a bitter and expensive campaign. Candidates and their political allies were set to spend a record $2.6 billion on campaigns, a watchdog group, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, said last month.