Midterm elections: Polls put Democrats in lead to take House as Trump defends 'racist' ad at Ohio rally

President Donald Trump attends rallies in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri on last day of campaigning

Barack Obama brands deployment of troops to border a 'political stunt'

Donald Trump was making his last plea to the American people on Monday, attending three rallies in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri just hours ahead of polls opening in crucial midterm elections.

With control of Congress at stake, former President Barack Obama was also out at an event in Fairfax, Virginia, to try and give the Democrats a boost.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday with all 435 seats of the House of Representatives up for re-election as well as 35 Senate seats, hundreds of state legislature, local mayoral races, and special ballot provisions.

Republicans currently control both the houses of the US congress, although Mr Trump has warned about what a change would mean or his agenda.

“It's all fragile. Everything I told you about, it can be undone and changed by the Democrats if they get in,” Mr Trump told supporters in a conference call.

He has also admitted Republicans could lose control of the lower House, but has not shown anything but his characteristic bombastic confidence at his numerous political rallies.

Some of the key races are also the most expensive in what is the most expensive overall election in US history, clocking at $5bn plus in spending.

In Texas, Democrat Beto O'Rourke and Republican incumbent Ted Cruz face off for a US Senate seat. In Florida there are two races of note: Republican Governor Rick Scott vies for a US Senate seat against Democrat Bill Nelson and Democratic Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum looks to become the state's first African-American governor against Republican Ron DeSantis.

In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams looks to become the country's first African-American female governor as she runs against Republican Brian Kemp. Mr Kemp has been called to resign from his state government post of secretary of state since his office is tasked with monitoring elections, particularly should neither of them garner 50 per cent of the vote and a runoff occurs. Mr Kemp has been accused of voter suppression and is also investing Democrats over a possible cybersecurity vulnerability of the state's voter registration page they reported to his office.

Republican Mike DeWine was joined by the president in Ohio as he runs against a former director in Barack Obama's administration, Richard Cordray.

There are numerous tight House races across the Midwest as well. Democrats will need to pick up 24 more seats in order to "flip" control to them.

You can see how the events of the last day of campaigning before the midterms unfolded in our live blog below

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Key Points

• Donald Trump focuses his campaigning in Florida, a key state for him in 2020
• The White House and Republicans stick to US economy as a talking point
• Accusations of hacking and voter suppression plague Georgia's gubernatorial race
• In Ohio speech Trump calls on voters of 'every race, colour and creed' 
• Trump defends 'racist' ad even as Facebook and TV networks pull it down

[5 November 2018 20:55 · Mythili Sampathkumar]

“I’m asking every citizen from every party, every background, and every race, colour, and creed to reject the Democrat politics and the policies of anger and division," Mr Trump said. 

We're "returning power to where it belongs...with the American people," he said. 

[5 November 2018 20:58 · Mythili Sampathkumar]

"We will make America wealthy again! We will make America safe again! We will make America strong again!," Mr Trump said, ending with his "great" rallying cry.

[5 November 2018 21:44 · Mythili Sampathkumar]

Technology is amazing, especially when it comes to waiting in line to cast a ballot. 

It is not a cybersecurity measure to make electoral systems hack-proof or the introduction of electronic voting, though those would not only go hand-in-hand but likely result in greater numbers and greater diversity in voter turnout in the US. 

However, the next best thing has come along and it is obviously about pizza. 

Pizza to the Polls is a site that allows people to send much-needed sustenance to those waiting in long lines to fulfill their civic duties. The service monitors used-submitted tips on long lines and finds local pizza places to deliver. 

[5 November 2018 22:05 · Mythili Sampathkumar]

A controversial advertisement aired recently attempting to link convicted murderer Luis Bracamontes, who first entered the country under Republican President George W Bush, to the caravan of approximately 7,000 people still travelling through Mexico as they flee rampant gang violence and poverty in parts of Central America. 

Mr Trump has repeatedly said the caravan is full of "criminals," "drug dealers," and "unknown Middle Easterners". 

The ad was deemed so offensive and racist several networks refused to air it but Mr Trump said it was "effective".