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Millions of Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as the midterm elections put control of Congress up for grabs, with both Republicans and Democrats fighting for political power. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the ballot, alongside 35 of the Senate's 100 seats — 33 regular contests plus special elections in Florida and Ohio to fill the seats vacated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance — as well as 36 governorships and thousands of state and local offices.
The results could significantly affect President Donald Trump's ability to advance his legislative agenda, secure support for his policies, and navigate congressional investigations and oversight. For Democrats, gaining control of either chamber could mean a major shift in Washington's political direction. For Republicans, retaining control would strengthen their ability to support the president's priorities.
Republicans enter Election Day holding both chambers narrowly: the Senate 53-47 and the House 218-214. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reach 51 and take the Senate; a 50-50 tie would keep Republicans in control because Vice President Vance breaks ties. In the House, 218 seats are needed for a majority.
Beyond the battle for congressional seats, the election is widely viewed as a major test of public opinion on Trump's leadership, the economy, immigration and America's direction. Early voting has been heavy, with more than 50 million ballots cast before Election Day, a midterm record.
Polls opened in a staggered fashion across the country, with Vermont first at 5 a.m. local time and most states opening between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time. Polls close in waves, with the earliest closures at 6 p.m. local time in Indiana and Kentucky and Alaska the last to close, at around 1 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. The first results are expected on Tuesday evening, though officials and news organisations caution that early figures do not signal an immediate winner, and counts will continue through the night and into Wednesday.
Forecasters favour Democrats to win the House, while control of the Senate is rated a toss-up. The outcome will decide who controls Congress for the second half of Trump's presidency.
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