Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections for the 2026 Midterms

It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open across the country. This midterm election determines who controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The outcome will shape the legislative agenda and oversight capabilities of the federal government. Voters are casting ballots for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the Senate, and 36 governorships. The results will define the political landscape for the remainder of this administration.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans currently hold 218 seats while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and several vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority. Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats to maintain their control. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts where the outcome remains uncertain. These contests are critical because they could tip the balance of power in the lower chamber. Sixty incumbents are not running again, creating open seats that attract new candidates and voters.

The Senate race involves 33 regular elections and two special elections. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. Republicans can lose only two seats to keep their majority. Thirteen Senate races are considered battlegrounds according to Ballotpedia. Key states include Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The special elections in Florida and Ohio are also crucial for the overall count. Winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

Governor races are also highly competitive. Republicans hold 26 governorships and Democrats 24. Nineteen of the 36 races have no incumbent on the ballot due to term limits or retirements. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, which Republicans have held since 2010. The Associated Press notes that the election is a referendum on the president's second term. Voters are described as struggling with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. These economic and foreign policy concerns are driving voter turnout and candidate messaging.

Polling data from AP-NORC shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of the president's job performance. Only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most voters blame the president for high prices. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early voting numbers from four years ago in many states. Republicans are bracing for potential losses in the House while fighting to hold the Senate. Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic about their chances.

The president held dozens of rallies in the days leading up to the election, ending in Salina, Kansas. He told supporters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept a professional distance from the president's campaign events. The president has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration filed lawsuits in Alaska and California. Democrats fear interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting on Monday.

Financially, the 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by groups affiliated with the president and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that the president won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in states where he won by 10 points or more. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered, "The American people are angry. They want change."

Voters are expressing their concerns directly. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, "I've just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he's doing an awesome job." James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, said, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything." These sentiments reflect the broader economic anxiety that defines this election cycle. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night could boost potential 2028 candidates and complicate Vice President JD Vance's path.

To vote today, you can find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. ID rules vary by state, so check your specific rules before going. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. Poll hours vary by state. For example, Alabama polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Alaska is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Arizona is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. California is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Florida is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Georgia is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Illinois is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Michigan is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. New York is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Texas is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Washington is open until 8 p.m. Always verify the hours for your specific county or town, as some areas have different schedules.

The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely for signals on AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The election administration faced legal challenges this week. A judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. Critics say this risked disenfranchising eligible voters and infringed on states' authority over elections. The U.S. Postal Service efforts are part of a broader push to ensure all valid votes are counted in a timely manner.

The new congressional maps in six states are also a factor. California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas use new maps after mid-decade redistricting. Ohio also uses a new map. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern with redistricting, but new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. The Senate battlegrounds include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. In Maine, the race is a toss-up on all four major ratings. In Iowa, it is a toss-up or tilt Republican. In Kansas, it is a toss-up to lean Republican. In Alaska, it is a toss-up to lean Democratic. In Michigan, it is a toss-up to lean Democratic. In Georgia, it is a lean to likely Democratic.