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Why midterms matter

Millions of voters will cast ballots for 435 House seats and 37 of 100 Senate seats, while 37 states will elect governors. Voters also will decide on various ballot initiatives.

What's at stake?

Democrats control both chambers of Congress, but Republicans hope to cut into their margins or regain control of the House and Senate.


Up for election	The 100 members of the U.S. Senate serve offset six-year terms.	Members are elected every two years, as set by the Constitution.	State leaders usually serve four-year terms with term limits.
Annual salary	$174,000	$174,000	$114,400 (average)
Longest-serving sitting officials	Democrat: Sen. Daniel Inouye, Hawaii, elected 1962	Democrat: Rep. John Dingell, Michigan, elected 1954	Republican: Gov. John Hoeven, North Dakota, sworn-in 2000
	Republican: Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana, elected 1976	Republican: Rep. Bill Young, Florida, elected 1970	Democrats: Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Michigan, and Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico, sworn-in 2003
Longest-serving ever	Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia	Rep. John Dingell, D-Michigan	Gov. George Clinton, New York (nonpartisan), 1777-95

Sources: U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Council of State Governments, National Governors Association

U.S. midterm voters choose who makes decisions that touch millions of American lives. These issues range from taxes and national security to Social Security benefits and Medicare. More reasons midterms matter:

REDISTRICTING

The redrawing of U.S. House district boundaries is required every 10 years

The Constitution mandates that U.S. House districts be adjusted every decade to ensure equal representation based on population shifts. State governors and legislators will help draw new boundaries based on the 2010 Census. Redistricting can affect the House balance of power and can lead to accusations of "gerrymandering."

REINS OF POWER

Leadership is determined by the party with the most seats in each house of Congress

Voters in November will help determine whether Republicans or Democrats will run the House and Senate. The party in power in each house runs the committees, the most powerful clubs in Congress. Committee members control which bills come to a vote, and bills that committees approve can affect issues including taxes, immigration and health care.

THE ISSUES

Americans told pollsters which issues are most important. Among them:

Economy