Voters begin casting ballots in US midterm elections

Voters cast ballots today in US midterm elections that have been shaped by cost-of-living worries, with polls indicating Democrats are well positioned to wrest control of at least one chamber of Congress. Surveys published today pegged US President Donald Trump's approval rating near record lows , showing voters are particularly dissatisfied with his handling of inflation .

Though he is not on the ballot, Trump has been central in the affordability debate: Critics argue his war against Iran and tariffs have stoked inflation, though experts warned who controls Congress will make little difference. "A lot of voters head to the polls Tuesday hoping for a fix for affordability," The Wall Street Journal's chief economics commentator wrote. " They are going to be disappointed ."