US voters head to polls in 2026 midterms that will decide control of Congress

Voters across the United States cast ballots on 3 November 2026 in midterm elections that will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and the Senate for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidential term. All 435 voting seats in the House are contested. Thirty-five Senate seats are on the ballot, including special elections in Florida and Ohio. Governors are also being elected in 36 states, with some counts placing the total number of gubernatorial races at 39 when territories are included.

Republicans enter the day holding 218 House seats to the Democrats' 214, with one independent and two vacancies. In the Senate the Republican majority stands at 53 to 47, counting two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four House seats to take the majority. In the Senate they must win a substantial share of the 35 seats on the ballot to reach 51 seats, the threshold for control without relying on the vice president's tie-breaking vote.

Early voting numbers have already exceeded the equivalent period in the 2022 midterms. The University of Florida Election Lab reported more than 57 million ballots cast before Election Day. OpenSecrets estimated total spending by candidates and outside groups at $11.9 billion, a figure that would make the cycle the most expensive midterm on record. Individual contributions from major donors, including substantial sums directed toward Republican candidates, form part of that total.

Key Senate contests include races in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Alaska, Iowa and Ohio. In Michigan, Democratic primary winner Abdul El-Sayed faced an unexpected late endorsement of the Republican nominee Mike Rogers by the congresswoman who lost the Democratic primary. House control will turn on a relatively small number of competitive districts, given the narrow existing margin. Several states have already closed early in-person voting windows; others continue to accept mail ballots under varying deadlines.

Polling places open and close according to state law. Virginia polls were scheduled to close at 7 p.m. Eastern, among the earlier closures. Results are unlikely to be complete on election night in every close race. States certify results in the weeks that follow. Georgia holds runoffs if no candidate reaches a majority. The 120th Congress is scheduled to convene on 3 January 2027.

The outcome will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years. A Democratic House would be able to block or force changes to spending bills and other measures that require majority support. Senate control determines confirmation of judicial nominees and the ability to pass legislation without a filibuster. Both parties have framed the elections as a referendum on the administration's record since January 2025.

State-level races will also decide control of governorships and legislative chambers that set policy on issues ranging from election administration to energy and education. Ballot measures appear in multiple states. The final composition of Congress will not be known until all outstanding ballots are counted and any legal challenges are resolved.