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

American voters went to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, in midterm elections that will determine which party controls the US House of Representatives and Senate for the remainder of Donald Trump's second term. All 435 voting seats in the House and 35 of 100 Senate seats are at stake, along with 39 gubernatorial races and numerous state and local contests.

Republicans entered the day holding a 218-214 majority in the House, with two vacancies and one independent who caucuses with Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats to 47 for Democrats and independents who caucus with them. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reach 51. The president's party has lost ground in nearly every midterm election in modern history.

Polls and nonpartisan analysts favour Democrats to win the House, while Senate control remains more uncertain. There are roughly 47 competitive House races. If other contests follow forecasts, Democrats would need to win only a portion of those to secure a majority. More than 57 million people had already cast ballots by Monday, above the 46 million early votes recorded in the 2022 midterms. OpenSecrets estimates total spending will reach $11.9 billion, the most expensive midterm on record.

Trump's approval stood near a career low of 32 percent in recent Reuters/Ipsos polling. The Iran conflict and its effects on petrol prices and the broader cost of living have been a central vulnerability for Republicans. The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Trump administration request to set aside thousands of California mail ballots that the administration claimed came from non-citizens. Polling hours vary by state; Virginia closes at 7 p.m. Eastern, among the earlier states.

Control of Congress will shape the final two years of Trump's term. A Democratic House would constrain the president's legislative agenda and investigative priorities. A split or Republican Congress would leave him with more room to advance executive actions. Results will emerge as states close and begin reporting, though full certification takes days to weeks depending on the state. Special elections in Florida and Ohio are among the 35 Senate contests.

The election also includes ballot measures on abortion, redistricting and voter identification in several states. Early voting has ended in some places such as Texas, Connecticut and North Carolina. Election officials and monitors have prepared for high turnout and potential challenges. The outcome will influence not only the immediate balance of power but also the positioning of candidates for the 2028 presidential race.