On November 7, Americans went to the polls to elect a new Congress -- a process mandated every two years by the U.S. Constitution.  At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats - as well as 36 state governorships. The outcome of this year's election will impact on the balance of power in Washington, where Republicans control the presidency and both houses of Congress. Opposition Democrats gained more than the 15 seats needed to retake the House, and are looking for six seats to win a majority in the Senate. Votes are still being counted in some key races. View a transcript of our Live Chat Wednesday, November 8, on the mid-term elections.

In the Senate, the two Independents (Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders) are expected to vote with the Democrats, effectively giving the Democrats control of the Senate.