The United States is bracing itself for the country's mid-term elections, with voting starting today.

Republicans need just a handful of states to seize control of the Senate - meaning they are now on course to have control of both houses of Congress.

Robin Abcarian, National Correspondent with the LA Times, says while there are certain issues that President Obama won't be able to work with Republicans on, they will need to get some reforms through:

Voters in some of the US states will also be electing governors, as well as other state office-holders, like secretary of state and attorney general.

As well as this, 158 ballot initiatives will be put before voters in 48 states, which will ask them to answer questions of law and policy from anything including abortion to gambling.