US Midterm Elections 2026: What Is at Stake on November 3

Americans are voting today, Tuesday, November 3, in the 2026 midterm elections. The presidency is not on the ballot, but control of Congress is, and that will shape the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term.

What is being decided

All 435 voting seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election. In the Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are being contested, made up of 33 regularly scheduled races and two special elections. Voters in many states are also choosing governors and a long list of state and local officials.

Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. Reports ahead of the vote described a narrow House majority of roughly 218 to 214 and a 53-47 Republican edge in the Senate. Even small shifts in competitive districts could decide who holds the gavel when the new Congress meets.

Why it matters

Congress writes the laws, approves the federal budget and can investigate the executive branch. A president whose party controls both chambers usually finds it easier to pass priorities. If one or both chambers change hands, the president must negotiate with the opposition, and committees may open new investigations.

The new House is due to be sworn in on January 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress begins.

Record early participation

Voting did not begin today. Early in-person and mail voting has been underway for weeks in much of the country, and Reuters reported that around 57 million ballots had already been cast as of Monday. Roughly 210 million Americans are registered to vote.

What to watch tonight

• Which party wins the 218 House seats needed for a majority.
• Whether any Senate seat changes hands, including the two special elections.
• How quickly close races are called, since mail ballots can take extra time to count.
• Turnout compared with earlier midterms.

TeaWithNews will keep following the vote as results arrive. This article explains the background and does not predict the outcome.