Fast Facts: Election '06

By
ABC News
November 5, 2006, 10:04 PM ET
2 min read

Nov. 5, 2006 — -- Midterm elections are this Tuesday, Nov. 7. Below is a list of facts for voters to keep in mind.

Balance of Power

Currently, Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Democrats must win 15 seats to take control of the House and six seats to take control of the Senate.

House of Representatives

As they are every two years, all 435 House seats are up for grabs.

Democrats last had control of the House in 1994.

Currently, 231 House seats are held by Republicans, 201 are held by Democrats, one is held by an independent and there are two vacancies.

Senate

Thirty-three Senate seats are up for election this cycle.

Democrats controlled the Senate for 17 months in 2001 and 2002. Before that, they had not had control since 1994.

Currently, 55 Senate seats are held by Republicans, 44 are held by Democrats and 1 is held by an independent.

Governors

Thirty-six gubernatorial seats are up for election this cycle.

Currently, 22 gubernatorial seats are held by Republicans and 14 are held by Democrats.

Major Ballot Measures

This year, voters will face ballot measures pertaining to abortion, stem cells, eminent domain, renewable energy and the minimum wage.

South Dakotans will vote on whether to reinstate HB 1215, a measure passed by the legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year that would institute a broad ban on abortion. No exceptions would be allowed for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. Abortion would be permitted only when the mother's life is in jeopardy.

In Arizona, a ballot measure intended to increase voter participation in a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" fashion will be on the ballot. If it passes, the measure would require state officials to randomly draw one voter's name for a $1 million prize.