THE electorate in the United States of America (USA) vote on Tuesday in what is called mid-term elections, which are held two years after the President is elected for a four-year term.

Tuesday’s elections are critical as they will determine which of the two main parties control the US Congress’ lower (House of Representatives), and the upper house (Senate).

Currently, the Democrats control both Houses by a slim majority over the Republicans. The Senate is tied at 50-50 with Vice President, Kamala Harris, a Democrat, sitting as an ex-officio chair with a tie-breaking vote. VP Harris has cast several such votes already in her party’s favour.

For this year’s election, opinion polls have given the Republicans an edge in what has been a see-saw battle in the polls.

Historically, the party in power that controls the White House, loses the mid-term elections in the House of Representatives.

Guyana enjoys close relations with the United States not least because of trade,cultural and ethnic ties. There are Guyanese both by birth and descent who will vote in this year’s election.

Their votes could determine the outcome of the elections in key swing districts in several states as well as state-wide and mayoral contests.

As well-known political analyst and eminent Guyanese pollster and academician, Dr Vishnu Bisram. pointed out in a recent commentary, elections are also being held for varied other positions: governor, mayor, county executives, and other state-wide as well as city-wide and county-wide offices.

In the New York State, where the bulk of the Guyanese population is settled, voters will decide who will be the next Governor and other state-wide officers as well as the members of the two-chambers State legislatures — Assembly and Senate. Several Guyanese and other West Indians are in the running for the legislatures of NYS and local offices.

Tens of thousands of Guyanese by birth and descent are also settled in the southern state of Florida where their votes will be critical in a hotly contested race for Governor and members of Congress and the state legislature. Guyanese and other West Indians are also on the ballot in several local and state-wide offices in Florida and in several other states as well.

Guyanese have also been involved in the elections as campaign officers, volunteers, donors, aides, and workers. They’ve donated tens of thousands of dollars to candidates in every election cycle including this current one.

Their participation in all spheres is applauded. Their presence in America and electoral participation aids in the democratic process although news reports and commentaries suggest their turnout at the polling stations have been low.

Voting empowers the Guyanese American presence in America as well as influences relations with Guyana. Guyanese Americans and other West Indians cannot afford to be left out of the election process and attendant benefits.

They constitute an important chunk of voters in several districts in so many states and in swing districts, but they have had a low turnout rate.

If they come out to vote in their numbers, they would help to determine the outcome especially in close races. Participating in the electoral process means having a say in who is elected, and what mandates get delivered. This should not be taken lightly.