EXPLAINER-When US midterm results are contested, Congress has final say

Some of Tuesdays US midterm races may take weeks to clear recounts and court challenges but ultimately the Senate and House of Representatives decide who gets seated a power that could matter if a handful of contests determine control of Congress Federal elections are run by states and certified by state officials But the US Constitution makes each chamber of Congress the judge of the elections returns and qualifications of its own members giving lawmakers the final say when a House or Senate result is contested