5 things financial watchers should keep an eye on Tuesday night that aren't Trump vs. Harris

The coin toss odds ahead of today's presidential election could mean the next commander in chief won't be known until many hours (if not days) after the polls close tonight.

But that doesn't mean we won't have results tonight that financial watchers will be watching closely.

A number of contests could be settled early that could set the course for economic policy in 2025, affecting everything from the leadership of key congressional committees to the influence that certain industries like cryptocurrencies will have in Washington, DC

Here are five threads to keep an eye on as we wait for the full results of the big contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to be released:

Read more: What the 2024 Election Means for Your Wallet: The Yahoo Finance Guide to the Presidential Election

Early in the night, once the first polls begin to close at 6 p.m. ET, the election polls will quickly become publicly available.

These are counts of actual voters who cast absentee and early voter votes, determined either through telephone surveys or in-person surveys at early voting sites.

The results are expected to offer new insights into how Americans think on a variety of issues, including the economy.

LITTLE CHUTE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 1: A sign directs residents where they can vote for in-person absentee voting on November 1, 2024 in Little Chute, Wisconsin. Election day is Tuesday, November 5th. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) — A sign alerts Wisconsin residents to in-person absentee voting on November 1, 2024. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) · Scott Olson via Getty Images

Four years ago, pollsters asked about topics such as the state of the country's economy, the financial situation of voters and whether citizens believe life will be better or worse for the next generation of Americans.

How voters respond this time – and how different they are from 2020 – could reveal whether America's poor economic sentiment is beginning to fade or will remain a dominant feature in the years to come.

Tonight could also see some evidence of the continued power of the crypto community in the nation's capital.

During his campaign, Trump made outsized promises to this community, and cryptocurrency firms' reported spending of $160 million has raised millions that could be crucial in lower-level elections across the country.

This is a bold series of bets that, if successful, could form the basis for a new (and bipartisan) class of crypto-friendly lawmakers in the House and Senate.

It's a dynamic that has already caused concern in some areas. “We’ve never seen spending like this,” Democratic Rep. Summer Lee said in a recent webinar about the industry’s influence, calling crypto the latest entrant in an “unbridled arms race.”

Either way, more than a dozen new pro-crypto congressmen and women could head to Washington next year if they win, and that could help settle an ongoing debate about whether (and how) Congress needs to step in to address the To regulate and reshape the industry.

A woman walks past signs promoting cryptocurrency banking at Union Station in Washington, DC on March 16, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) — In 2023, a sign promoting cryptocurrency banking can be seen at Union Station in Washington. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) · ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images

These wealthy groups have sent money to candidates of both parties, from Alaska to New York state, and appear to be helping usher in what is already being described as the most crypto-friendly Congress ever in 2025.

And its influence could continue beyond Election Day, as Politico reported this week that at least one cryptocurrency super PAC is holding $78 million in the bank after Tuesday – apparently to keep lawmakers focused on their preferred issues.

A Senate race in particular is likely to be closely watched by bank CEOs like Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase (JPM).

This is the contest in Ohio between Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and his challenger Bernie Moreno. It's a contest that could decide both control of the Senate in 2025 and who heads the crucial Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

That committee, which Brown currently chairs, has oversight of major banks and has been the site of highly anticipated hearings in recent years, with CEOs forced to answer questions from lawmakers on a range of topics.

TOPSHOT - (LR) Wells Fargo CEO and President Charles Scharf, Brian Bank of America Chairman and CEO Thomas Moynihan, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, State Street CEO Ronald O'Hanley, BNY Mellon CEO Robin Vince, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman are sworn in before a Wall Street oversight hearing by the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, March 6 . December 2023. Major U.S. banks railed against the new proposed capital requirements at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, joining Senate Republicans in calling the measures a restriction on lending to ordinary Americans. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) — CEOs of major banks will be sworn in before testifying at a 2023 oversight hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) · SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Whoever takes center stage over these CEOs in 2025, be it Brown or a friendlier figure like current senior Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, will be closely watched.

Some voters will have the opportunity to express their opinions on cannabis on Tuesday.

Voters in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Florida have marijuana measures on the ballot. And voters in Massachusetts will get to decide whether they want to go a step further and potentially legalize psychedelics.

Florida's bill, for example, would legalize recreational marijuana use for all adults in the state. It is already legal in Florida for medical reasons and is already considered the most lucrative medical cannabis market in the United States.

The results in Florida and elsewhere would add to a patchwork of marijuana laws across the country and could also determine whether long-awaited changes at the national level move closer to reality.

Efforts to legalize cannabis banking have long been stalled in Washington DC, with the SAFE Banking Act stuck in Congress for years. But increasing acceptance of “legitimate” cannabis businesses at the state level could open the door even further to these efforts.

A Trulieve employee listens during a discussion about the medical marijuana company's product and packaging safety standards at an event in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida for adults 21 and older at Trulieve Pharmacy for Medical cannabis in Hallendale Beach, Florida (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) — A supporter listens during a discussion about medical marijuana at an event in Hallendale Beach, Florida, in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational use of marijuana in Florida for adults 21 and older. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) · RELATED PRESS

The fight for control of Congress as a whole could end up lasting as long as the presidency — and it could be just as important on certain issues.

Two of the most important debates in Washington in 2025 will revolve around taxes and green energy. In either case, President Trump or Harris could see almost all of their promises on these fronts unraveled as they negotiate with either a House or Senate controlled by the opposition party.

“The makeup of Congress is critical,” Charles Myers, chairman and founder of Signum Global Advisors, said in a recent interview on tax issues.

He said a divided Washington was the most likely outcome and would quickly lead to a massive lowering of expectations no matter who wins.

WASHINGTON, DC OCTOBER 26: The rising sun sits on the Statue of Liberty on the roof of the U.S. Capitol early in the morning on October 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images) — The rising sun stands over the U.S. Capitol early in the morning on October 26, 2024 in Washington, DC (J. David Ake/Getty Images) · J. David Ake via Getty Images

In fact, a split decision seems entirely possible. A consensus forecast compiled by 270toWin suggests that Republicans will be able to capture at least 51 seats and therefore control.

Over in the House of Representatives, the divide is evenly split – 21 seats will likely decide who wields the gavel next year.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Every Friday, Yahoo Finance's Rachelle Akuffo, Rick NewmanAnd Ben Werschkul give you unique insight into how U.S. politics and government impact your bottom line at Capitol Gains. Watch or listen to Capitol Gains Apple Podcasts, Spotifyor wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

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