U.S. President George W. Bush cast his vote on Tuesday in key U.S. legislative elections in his hometown of Crawford, Texas, and urged Americans to do the same.

"We live in a free society, and our government is only as good as the willingness of our people to participate in it," Bush said outside the fire station where he voted.

"And therefore, no matter what your party affiliation, or if you don't have a party affiliation, do your duty; cast your ballot and let your voice be heard," Bush said.

In the run up to the polls, Bush campaigned in 10 states in an effort to win back support lost as a result of the unpopular Iraq war and to turn around the grim prospect of losing the majority in Congress.

All 435 seats in the House are up for election for two-year terms. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to capture control of the House, after being in the minority for the past 12 years.

In the Senate, the Republican Party currently holds a majority of 55 seats against the Democrats' 44, and there is one Democratic-leaning Independent. Democrats need to get six more seats than their current number to retake control of the Senate.

Source: Xinhua