tweets, external: The best way to grow together as a country is if everyone participates. Don't forget to vote today. #ivoted

Terry Davis, a retail manager in Ferguson, Missouri tells the BBC's Franz Strasser that the shooting of Michael Brown weighs on his mind as he heads to the polls. "In the wake of everything I just want change in general and fairness for the community. I've always voted but now it seems particularly important."

The shooting of black teenager Michael Brown, who was unarmed, sparked mass protests in Ferguson.

Image source, Getty Images

tweets:, external Cynicism, anger, optimism all in play on Election Day amid worries about Washington gridlock, reports @nbenac. apne.ws/1EfNMGz, external

Paul Blake
BBC News, New York City

The lines at this New York City polling station aren't very long, but I met one woman, Susan Harel, who was there with her son.

"My kids said 'mommy, the weather is really nice can't we play soccer?' But I told them it's important to vote," she said.

She said that no particular issue mattered to her this time around. She really liked the Statue of Liberty stickers that are given out after voting. She had picked up some for her other children.

For those who like to combine their politics with beer, Time magazine's website has provided instructions, external for a particularly punishing mid-term drinking game.

One sip for every Republican victor's mention of a "mandate", three for every superlative used by Newt Gingrich, and finish your drink completely if you hear a candidate thanking Barack Obama.

Time's editors clearly think the last one is rather unlikely.

With the presidential in-tray overflowing with problems from the Middle East and Russia, Foreign Policy asks, external whether a Republican-controlled Congress would push the White House towards a more aggressive stance abroad.

Sam Farzaneh
BBC Persian Service, Georgia

African Americans are showing in large numbers in this voting station in Atlanta, Georgia. Do they care about how the Senate can effect the nuclear negotiations with Iran? Is the situation in Syria an issue for them? The answer is no.

I talked to some of the voters and their main issue was the minimum wage and the crime in this neighbourhood.

tweets:, external Best part of today is gonna be when all the poor suckers on the east coast have to wait til 4:30 am for #AKsen results.

A toddler wears a sticker that reads "I voted" at a New York City polling site:

Franz Strasser
BBC News, Ferguson

In Ferguson, Missouri the election for county executive has partly become a referendum on much-criticised county prosecutor Bob McCulloch and his handling of the investigation into the death of black teenager Michael Brown.

Darron Nelson, an insurance broker from Ferguson, said that residents needed to be educated about the importance of elections in the wake of Michael Brown's death.

"If you don't have anyone on a local level that's representing your ideas then it's too late. If you don't like Bob McCulloch [St. Louis County prosecuting attorney] then you should've voted. Those things we don't understand until it's too late."

tweets:, external Historic footnote: When Dems lost House in 2010 mid-terms, President Obama called it was a "shellacking," but was re-elected 2 years later.

tweets:, external Here's what the partisan divide in the early vote looks like in Iowa. See photo, external

When orchestrating Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign, one of his strategists reportedly coined a slight variation of the phrase "it's the economy, stupid" to emphasise what the team should be focusing on.

But a central anomaly in this campaign is the level of voter dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party despite an economy that is growing, albeit slowly. Reuters notes that the recovery has been "uneven", and quotes political expert Larry Sabato as saying "we've had a very difficult economy for years and anyone in office is going to be held partly accountable, especially governors".

Voters in Denver, Colorado, where the governor's seat is being hotly contested - though not everybody in the photo appears overly interested.

Image source, EPA

tweets:, external If GOPer Elise Stefanik wins upstate NY seat today, she would become youngest Congresswoman ever at 30. Elizabeth Holtzman was 31 in '73.

If you can't keep track of all the elections happening today, the BBC's guide to the top five things to know about the mid-terms should help.

Jane O'Brien
BBC News, Arlington, Virginia

A lot of money has been invested in the tightly-fought races, with some estimates suggesting $200m (£125m) was spent alone in the month of October. It shows how much Republicans feel they have to gain by taking these elections seriously.

But it's worth remembering that Americans themselves are very unhappy not just with Obama and the Democrats but with Republicans as well. The president's approval rating is low, but Congress isn't doing much better either.

One of our correspondents took a trip along the old Blues Highway to ask what American music reveals about its politics. Aleem Maqbool took in five states in five days and looked at five styles of American music.

tweets:, external At a senior center in NW Atlanta, poll mgr reports 10% turnout so far. "It's been a steady stream all day." #gapol

Voters in Kentucky queue up at a school sports hall to cast their ballots.

Image source, Getty Images