Political strategists often cite White House poll numbers as a key factor in forecasting whether the minority party can flip seats in midterm elections. The axiom has taken on greater attention amid record early voting turnout and with Election Day on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden began his term with approval ratings as high as 63% and disapproval ratings as low as 34%. Almost two years later, poll averages compiled by RealClearPolitics show Biden's approval rating at 42.4% and his disapproval rating at 54.9%.

Like most presidents before him, Biden's approval ratings began trending downward after about six months in office and reached a low this summer at 36%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Legislative victories that include the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act helped Biden's approval ratings rise slightly in the last few months.

An Economist/YouGov poll conducted between Oct. 29-Nov. 1 found Biden with a 45% approval rating and a 52% disapproval rating. A poll conducted earlier in October showed the president with a 48% approval rating and a 51% disapproval rating.

Right-leaning Rasmussen Reports released a poll Monday that showed Biden at 42% approval – a four-point decrease from late October.

According to an NBC News poll conducted from Nov. 3-5, Biden has a 44% approval rating and a 53% disapproval rating. Donald Trump (46%) and Barack Obama (45%) each had similar approval ratings in the days leading up to their first midterm elections.

NBC News shows high approval for Biden among Black (78%) and Latino (52%) voters, as well as urban voters (50%). Biden's polling shows low approval among white voters (37%), rural voters (29%) and independent voters (28%).

CBS News conducted a poll from Oct. 26-28 that showed Biden with a 44% approval rating and a 56% disapproval rating, the same approval percentage Biden received in January.

Biden currently holds a 40% job approval rating with 55% disapproval, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from Oct. 31-Nov. 1, which is a single-point increase from a late October poll.

There are many high-stakes races across the country that will determine which party controls both houses, including closely watched senate races in Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Forty-five percent of voters are planning on casting their ballot on Tuesday and 38% have already voted early, according to an NBC News poll.

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