Voting in the United States midterm elections got underway on Tuesday, with the first polling stations opening in Vermont, according to NU. The Dutch outlet reports that the contest for seats in Congress has now begun in earnest.
Coverage of the election across Dutch media points to several themes shaping the race. NRC reports that Democrats are fielding steady candidates and relying on discipline as they try to convert public dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump into votes. De Volkskrant, meanwhile, writes that Trump is no longer an asset in this election but an obstacle, and argues he will face growing difficulty from here.
Other outlets frame the vote around the president's continued influence. AD.nl writes that whatever the outcome, Trump will make sure his influence remains noticeable. RTV Drenthe carries the perspective of an individual voter, AnneMarie, who moved from Assen to the United States and was heading to the polls on Tuesday, saying she believes the balance can be restored.
The reports do not include projected results or turnout figures, and no outcome had been reported at the time of publication.
What to watch next: results from Vermont and other states as polling stations report, and how the campaigns' arguments about Trump's role hold up once the count begins.
