Who faces the voters
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Elections are held every two years on the first Tuesday in November.
All 435 members of the House of Representatives.
One-third of the 100-member Senate (elected for six-year terms).
Also assembly elections in numerous states, 36 governorships and myriad state officials.The state of play
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Democrats (256), Republicans (178), one seat vacant after the death of the sitting member.
SENATE: Democrats (57), Republicans (41), two independents who caucus with Democrats.The issues
ECONOMY: Voters are fearful of the sluggish economic recovery, $US14 trillion in public debt and an unemployment rate of nearly 10 per cent.
SPENDING AND TAXES: Many Republicans argue spending must be cut, but will not specify how; they advocate extending George Bush's tax cuts for the rich beyond 2010, even though it would add a further $US4 trillion to the deficit.
HEALTHCARE REFORM: Obama's historic achievement remains controversial. Republicans have successfully branded it as ''socialist'' and unaffordable (46 per cent of voters in one poll said it was a bad idea), even though it would cut the government's healthcare costs in the long-term.What about the Tea Party?
The grassroots movement fuelled by some wealthy conservatives, and popularised by the likes of Sarah Palin, has added an unpredictable dimension to this year's elections. More than 120 candidates are being backed by the Tea Party.
Typically, the movement stands for small government and minimal taxation, and champions the rights of the states and the individual. Many members represent the extreme right, several garnering strong support in key contests. Tea Party candidates are expected to pick up several seats for the Republicans, but could split the conservative vote in some contests and even deny the party control of the Senate.What the polls are saying:
They point to disaster for the Democrats, who could lose more than 50 seats in the House (Republicans need 39 to take control). Democrats should just retain their majority in the Senate. Since 1946, the average loss of seats in a president's first term is 25 for the House and three for the Senate.What happens if Republicans win back Congress?
That outcome would stymie Obama's agenda but might actually lead to a breakout of bipartisanship. Democrats have accused their opponents of obstructionist tactics in the past two years, but as the majority party the Republicans would be compelled to seek some sort of working compromise with the White House.
The big fights would be over government spending and tax reform. Should antagonism prevail, the parties would risk paralysis in Congress. But Republicans would be wary about the political fallout, not wanting to hand Obama an advantage in 2012.Key figures:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA - Remains the most popular politician in the US, such is the public's disillusionment with incumbents and so-called career politicians. Can help mobilise money and African-Americans like no other, but alienates many voters in more conservative parts of the country who see him as aloof and elitist.
SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI (Democrat, California) - The first woman Speaker of the House has proven adept at raising money and picking candidates. However, her majority is in great danger. Most analysts predict the House will switch to the Republicans.
MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID (Democrat, Nevada) - He runs the Democratic caucus in the Senate, or tries to. He's a moderate who is well-liked by his party, but he must concentrate on keeping his own seat, which is in considerable jeopardy from a Tea Party favourite, Sharron Angle.
MINORITY LEADER JOHN BOEHNER (Republican, Ohio) - A stout conservative from south-western Ohio, Boehner has been confidently predicting for months that he will be the next speaker of the House, even suggesting his party might win 100 additional seats on November 2.
MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL
(Republican, Kentucky) - An establishment conservative, McConnell has done a masterful job keeping his caucus united in opposition to everything Obama has done. Has an outside chance of being the next Senate majority leader. But he faces the very real possibility of a right-wing challenge to his leadership if the Republicans fail to take control of the Senate.Lessons from history:
History shows that in years when a president's approval rating is below 50 per cent, his party has lost an average of 41 seats. Obama's rating is in the mid-40s.
2002: During the first term of George Bush, Republicans actually gained seats (eight in the House plus two in the Senate) just a year after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
1994: Clinton, who faced scathing criticism in his first two years amid bungled healthcare reform, presided over a disaster in 1994 - Democrats lost 54 seats in the House and eight Senate seats.
1966: In the midst of the Vietnam War, Democrats lost 48 seats in the House. The election signalled a revival for Republicans and the curtailing of President Lyndon Johnson's legislative program.
1974: The Watergate scandal and Richard Nixon's subsequent resignation as the 37th president led to a Republican rout in the 1974 mid-terms. They lost 48 seats.
