live blog
Status: 09.11.2022 00:37
In the first US states, the polling stations have closed so that the count can begin there. US stock markets ended Election Day with significant gains.
12:37 a.m
Trump warns Florida governor against presidential candidacy
Former US President Donald Trump has threatened Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with uncomfortable revelations if he runs for US President in 2024. He could say “things that aren’t particularly flattering” about DeSantis, Trump told Fox News Digital. “I know more about him than anyone – except maybe his wife.” Trump had announced a “very big announcement” for November 15. Observers consider it likely that he will then want to announce his long-indicated candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. The 76-year-old continues to be popular among Republican voters. But in the US population as a whole, Trump is so controversial that several Republicans such as DeSantis or Trump’s ex-Vice President Mike Pence are believed to challenge him with his own candidacy. DeSantis is considered a particularly strong rival.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is considered a possible party opponent for ex-President Trump in the possible race for the 2024 presidential candidacy.
Image: AP
12:25 a.m
Inflation and abortion central issues for voting decision
Which topics were the most important for the voting decision at the midterms? Based on its post-election surveys, the opinion research institute Edison Research said that inflation was the most important factor in their voting decision for around 30 percent of voters. But also about three out of ten voters said that for them the abortion debate was the priority issue. However, there were clear differences between the supporters of the major parties. Almost every second Republican voter named high inflation as the most important issue. In contrast, 44 percent of Democratic voters said abortion was their top priority.
12:02 a.m
Many polling stations in Indiana and Kentucky are now closed
In large parts of the states of Indiana and Kentucky, the polling stations have been closed since midnight German time. The remaining electoral districts of the two states end the ballot one hour later. In the different parts of the United States – also because of the different time zones – very different voting times apply to the midterm elections. The polling stations in Alaska will be the last to close – at 7 a.m. German time.
11/8/2022 • 11:38 p.m
US stock markets up sharply on election day
US stock markets hit their highest level in two and a half months on the day of the midterm elections. The leading index, the Dow Jones, ended trading up 1.02 percent at 33,160.83 points. Prices rose sharply again, especially in late trading. The market-wide S&P 500 gained 0.56 percent to 3828.11 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 0.75 percent to 11,059.50 points.
11/8/2022 • 11:32 p.m
Trump speaks of irregularities
Former US President Donald Trump railed against alleged voting irregularities on the day of the midterm elections in the United States. In Detroit, voters at the polling station were told that they had already voted: “This is happening in large numbers, also elsewhere. Protest, protest, protest!” Trump wrote on the social media platform “Truth Social”, which he co-founded. He did not provide any evidence for his claims. Also, electronic voting machines would allegedly not work in conservative districts of the embattled state of Arizona. In a steady stream of posts, Trump continued to spread allegations of alleged midterm election fraud with no evidence, including, “Is the same thing happening to election fraud as in 2020???”
11/8/2022 • 11:29 p.m
A few races in key states decide the majority
A number of states and constituencies have long-held majorities for one or the other of the major US parties. But the elections for some seats in the Senate and in the House of Representatives are likely to be very close and ultimately decide on the majorities in Congress. An overview of the tight races.
11/8/2022 • 11:15 p.m
This is what the 2022 Midterms are all about
In the middle of US President Joe Biden’s term in office, Congress will be re-elected. Voters decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate. The key question for the second half of Biden’s term will be whether his Democratic Party can defend a majority in either or both chambers of Congress, or whether Republicans will win the majority. An overview of what the midterms are all about.