NEW YORK, November 3. /TASS/. Vermont in the northeastern US has become the first of the 50 American states to open polling places on the main day of the midterm congressional elections. Voting there began at 5:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. GMT).

Vermont is one of the few states whose laws allow polling places to open this early. However, each district's authorities independently determine the start time, which can range from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. GMT). All polling places in the state must close at 7:00 p.m. (midnight GMT on November 4).

At 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (11:00 a.m. GMT), polling places will open in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia. At 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time (12:00 a.m. GMT), voting will also begin in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, and several other states.

In the midterm elections, Americans will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, as well as 35 of the 100 senators. Elections for governor will be held in 36 states. Currently, Republicans control both chambers of Congress.