As the first set of polls close, the economy and the state of democracy appear to be top issues for US voters

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Donald Trump has called it “most important in our lifetime” while senator Bernie Sanders says it’s the most important “in modern American history”. Barack Obama called it a “circuit-breaker” and the “last, best chance” to rein in the president.

In any case, all eyes will be on the United States on Wednesday Australian time for the 2026 midterm elections. Will Americans use the day as a referendum on Trump’s second term? Will Democrats see a clean sweep of Congress?