Senate math: 50 million voters have cast ballots as GOP eyes Iowa and Kansas

Fifty million Americans have already cast their votes as the election enters its final day. President Donald Trump spent the weekend campaigning in Iowa and Kansas, two states that historically favor the Republican Party but have turned into competitive contests.

The path to Senate control requires Democrats to win four more seats than Republicans. Both parties view the outcomes in Iowa and Kansas as decisive for that calculation. The races in these states have moved beyond their usual margins, forcing national strategists to treat them as must-win targets.

In Kansas, the state has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in nearly 100 years. That streak faces a potential end on Tuesday. New York Times polling currently shows Democrat Adam Hamilton leading incumbent Republican Roger Marshall by five points. Marshall released a closing argument video on Sunday to defend his medical practices, a subject that drew criticism on the campaign trail. His staff opposed the release of the video and expressed concern that it may have backfired.

In Iowa, the race remains tight. Trump addressed a crowd by mentioning the physical appearance of Republican candidate Ashley Hinson. He stated that he knew her for a long time and noted she was a bit heavier previously. Trump said Hinson understood the importance of the race and put herself in shape. He added that she asked him not to bring the topic up.

The numbers in both states suggest that the historical voting patterns are shifting. The polling data in Kansas and the close margins in Iowa indicate that the final outcome will likely hinge on turnout in these specific districts.