Divided Government Looms as Senate Control Waits on Three Key Races
The expected "red wave" falls short, but a divided government remains likely as vote counting drags on. Senate control hinges entirely on unresolved races in Arizona, Nevada, and a Georgia runoff.
The 2022 midterm elections fail to deliver the expected "red wave," but a divided government still looks highly likely as vote counting continues across the country. A split Congress emerges as the most probable outcome, with Republicans gaining ground but facing a tighter race than early polls predicted.
In the Senate, control comes down to just three remaining undecided races: Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia. The Georgia contest heads to a runoff election on December 6, while officials in Arizona and Nevada continue processing thousands of uncounted ballots. The Associated Press notes that evening updates continue in both western states, with the partisan breakdown of late-arriving mail and drop-off ballots ultimately determining the final winners.
Meanwhile, Republicans inch closer to securing a majority in the House of Representatives. With 37 races still left to call, the GOP needs just nine additional seats to flip the chamber and claim control. As Americans wait for the final results, NPR reporters continue providing essential updates and analysis on these crucial, tightly contested races.