Polls Open in Tight US Mid-Term Elections

美中期选举战况激烈投票站开放

The first polling places have opened for the U.S. mid-term elections that will determine -- among other issues -- which party will control Congress.

National polls have suggested widespread support for opposition Democrats. But the most recent surveys indicate that several key races are much closer than they were earlier. Both parties are concentrating their efforts on getting their supporters to the polls.Heavy rains forecast for the northwestern and southeastern U.S. could affect voter turnout in those areas.

Tuesday's elections include gubernatorial races in 36 states, along with ballot questions on issues ranging from abortion to homosexual marriage to stem cell research.

President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush voted in their hometown of Crawford, Texas early today. They are scheduled to return to the White House later in the day.

On Monday, he campaigned on behalf of Republican candidates in Florida, Arkansas and Texas. Mr. Bush urged all to vote Republican if they value their own security and if they want low taxes.

美国中期选举的第一批投票站已经开放。这次选举将决定哪一个政党将控制国会以及其他一些问题。

全国民调预测，反对党民主党获得广泛支持。但最新的调查表明，几场关键的选举比原先的预料要激烈得多。两党都在集中努力鼓励本党的支持者前往投票。天气预报说西北和东南地区有大雨，可能影响那里的选民投票率。

星期二的选举包括36个州的州长选举以及就堕胎、同性婚姻以及干细胞研究等问题进行表决。

布什总统和夫人劳拉星期二上午在老家德克萨斯州的克劳福德投了票。他们下午返回白宫。

布什总统星期一在佛罗里达州、阿肯色州和德克萨斯州为共和党竞选人助选。布什总统敦促民众，如果关注自身安全、希望减税，就应该投共和党的票。