US Midterm Elections 2026

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Midterms fall halfway through a presidential term and decide control of Congress and many state offices, without the presidency itself being on the ballot.

Three states held primaries on August 18, 2026, among the final contests before the November 3 general election. Florida: Republican Byron Donalds, a Trump-endorsed congressman from Southwest Florida, won the GOP gubernatorial primary and will face Democrat David Jolly in November. In Florida's Senate special election primary (for the seat vacated by Marco Rubio, who left to become Secretary of State), appointed incumbent Ashley Moody was projected to easily win the Republican nomination. In FL-07, a Republican primary upset saw challenger Elijah defeat incumbent Rep. Mills. Alaska: conducted its nonpartisan top-four primary, in which the top four finishers across parties advance to the November ranked-choice general election. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan advances as expected despite facing a primary challenger with the same name. Wyoming: also voted on August 18. These results set the final November ballot in all three states. Sources: 270toWin, NewsNation, CNN.

As of mid-August 2026, Democrats hold an approximately 8-point lead on the generic congressional ballot, the question of whether voters prefer a Democratic or Republican House candidate. A lead of that size, if it holds through November, would historically translate to a significant net gain of House seats for Democrats and put the chamber firmly in play. Senate control depends more on individual-state dynamics than the national number.

On August 4, 2026, Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former Michigan Health Director who ran for governor in 2018, won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. El-Sayed, backed by progressive groups, defeated more moderate Democratic challengers. Michigan is a key Senate battleground in November, and El-Sayed's nomination sets up a closely watched general election against the Republican incumbent.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats (including special elections in Florida and Ohio), and 39 state governorships. Many state legislatures and local offices are also up.

Republicans hold both chambers narrowly: about 220-215 in the House and 53-45 in the Senate, with two independents caucusing with the Democrats. Small shifts could flip control of either chamber.

In the House, Democrats need a net gain of about three districts for a majority. In the Senate, they need a net gain of four seats. Those are narrow margins, which is why 2026 is closely watched.

Among the most-watched are North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Alaska. Analysts often cite Maine and North Carolina as Democratic targets, while Republicans eye seats such as Georgia and Michigan. Ratings shift over the campaign, so treat any prediction as provisional.

Historically, the party holding the White House tends to lose congressional seats in midterm elections. That is a long-run pattern, not a guarantee, and each cycle depends on the economy, turnout, candidates and events.

Control of Congress shapes US budgets, trade and tariff policy, aid, and the ability to pass or block the president's agenda. Because US policy has worldwide effects, the balance of the House and Senate after November 2026 is watched well beyond America.