Week Ahead in Washington: November 1

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, as Americans cast votes in local, state and federal races.

All 435 U.S. House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for election. Governor’s races are also on the ballot in 36 states.

The midterm elections will determine control of Congress. Republicans are looking to remain the majority party for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term, while Democrats are looking to flip both chambers to blue.

A number of key contests will be decided in critical states. Texas, Michigan and Alaska have some of the most closely watched races, with the latest polls showing the Senate races in those states are still considered “toss ups” ahead of Election Day.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to begin its November oral arguments session this week. The session includes seven hours of arguments over five days, Starting Nov. 2 and ending Nov. 10.

The highlight of the session is “St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy.” The case considers whether a Catholic preschool’s exclusion from Colorado’s universal preschool program counts as a form of religious discrimination.

Arguments in the case are set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.