Your Wednesday Briefing: American Votes

Moreover, Europe makes climate commitments and Kenya discloses contract details Chinese railway.

ImageA polling place in California . Credit...Adam Perez for The New York Times

Election Day in the United States

After one of the most important midterm campaigns, the most unpredictable and most costly, Americans finally began voting in person yesterday. The polls aren't closed yet, and tomorrow I'll bring you the latest updates on the most important results. (Follow our live coverage.)

The stakes in this election are high. The outcome will determine the balance of power in Congress, state legislatures and governorates. It could also shape the future of representative democracy: Many Americans choose whether or not to vote for Republican candidates who deny the 2020 election results.

Democrats , energized by the speech of Donald Trump possible return, bet on a fight for the right to abortion to wake up the liberal base of the party. But Republicans stand to make significant gains by tapping into frustration with