WASHINGTON, D.C. - What are the mid-terms?
The elections are called mid-terms because they come half-way through the four-year term served by the president, though the polls are in fact for Congress - the two houses of the US legislature. This time, there are also races for 36 of the 50 state governorships, known as gubernatorial elections.
Why not elect everybody at the same time?
The American system was designed to be overlapping both in terms of the powers of the different bodies and in terms of when people are elected to them.
Why are the mid-terms important?
At stake is control of Congress, the legislative branch of the US Government. Republicans have controlled both chambers since 1994, except for a brief time when Democrats held the Senate.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
435 seats - all to be contested in mid-terms
Republicans hold 230 seats; Democrats 201; one independent; three seats vacant
Democrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House
SENATE:
100 seats - 33 to be contested in mid-terms
Republicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independent
Democrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate
What are the key races?
The races that loom largest will be those where the chances of an upset are viewed to be greatest.
