The 2026 Midterm Elections Explained

The 2026 midterm elections are the U.S. general elections taking place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voters across the country will choose members of Congress, governors, and state lawmakers, and will vote directly on ballot measures.

What Is on the Ballot?

Midterm elections include federal, state, and local offices. The exact ballot is different in every state and community.

The House of Representatives

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. Members of the House serve 2-year terms, so every seat is on the ballot every 2 years. The winners will serve in the 120th Congress.

The Senate

35 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election. 33 are regularly scheduled elections. The other 2 are special elections in Florida and Ohio to fill the last 2 years of the terms that Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance were elected to in 2022.

Senators serve 6-year terms. About one-third of the Senate is up for election every 2 years.

Governors

36 states are electing a governor. Most governors serve 4-year terms. New Hampshire and Vermont elect governors to 2-year terms.

State Legislatures

46 states are holding regular state legislative elections in 88 of the country's 99 legislative chambers. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 6,139 state legislative seats are up for regularly scheduled election. Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia do not hold legislative elections this year because they elect lawmakers in odd-numbered years.

Ballot Measures

As of October 20, 2026, Ballotpedia reported that voters in 39 states will decide 145 statewide ballot measures on November 3.

Local Offices

Many voters will also see local races, such as mayors, county officials, judges, and school board members, depending on where they live.

What Is the Current Balance of Power?

The balance of power is the number of seats each party holds in Congress.

The House

As of October 1, 2026, the Clerk of the House reported 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, 1 independent, and 2 vacant seats. When all 435 seats are filled, a party needs 218 seats for a majority.

The Senate

As of late October 2026, the Senate has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 independents who caucus with Democrats. A party needs 51 seats for a clear majority.

Why Do Midterm Elections Matter?

Midterm elections decide which party controls the House and the Senate for the next 2 years.

Control of Congress

The majority party in each chamber chooses its leaders, leads its committees, and has a major role in deciding which bills receive a vote.

The Senate's Other Duties

The Senate votes to confirm many presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members. It also votes on whether to approve treaties.

Divided Government

Midterm results can create divided government or end it.

The States

Governors and state legislatures make decisions on state budgets, schools, roads, elections, and many other issues. In many states, the legislature also draws congressional and state legislative district lines.

Past Midterms

According to the American Presidency Project at UC Santa Barbara, the President's party lost House seats in 20 of the 23 midterm elections from 1934 to 2022. The exceptions were 1934, 1998, and 2002. Past results describe what has happened before and do not decide what will happen in any future election.

How Does Voting Work in a Midterm Election?

Each state runs its own elections and sets its own rules for registration, early voting, and mail voting.

Early Voting

Many states allow voters to cast a ballot in person before Election Day.

Mail Voting

Voters can request or receive a ballot by mail, depending on state rules. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 35 states require mail ballots to be received by Election Day. 15 states and Washington, D.C., count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day if they are postmarked on or before Election Day.

Election Day

Voters can cast a ballot in person at their polling place on November 3. Polling hours are set by each state.

When Do the Results Become Official?

Results reported on election night are unofficial. News organizations may project winners, but official results come later.

1. Counting: Election officials continue counting mail, provisional, and other ballots after Election Day.
2. Canvass: Officials review and confirm that every valid ballot has been counted.
3. Certification: State and local officials formally declare the final results. Deadlines are different in each state.
4. Recounts: Very close races may be recounted, either automatically or by request, depending on state law.

When Do the Winners Take Office?

Under the 20th Amendment, members of Congress elected in 2026 will take office on January 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress begins. Governors and state lawmakers take office on dates set by each state.

When Is the 2026 Midterm Election?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Federal law sets Election Day for Congress as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Voters should check with their state or local election office for polling place locations, hours, and mail ballot deadlines.