About the 2026 midterms
The 2026 United States midterm elections determine the full membership of the House of Representatives and roughly one third of the Senate, alongside 36 state governorships.
Midterms fall halfway through a presidential term and are widely treated as a referendum on the sitting administration.
Tags
- USA
- Congress
- Voting
- Midterms
Frequently asked questions
Election day is Tuesday, 3 November 2026, though early and postal voting begins earlier in most states.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, around one third of the Senate, and 36 state governorships.
Midterms are federal elections held halfway through a president's four-year term, electing Congress but not the presidency.
Closing times vary by state, from 18:00 to 21:00 local time, meaning results emerge across several hours.
Most states offer early in-person or postal voting. Deadlines and rules differ by state.