Democrats flip Senate seats and win control of Congress in US midterm elections

Summary

Voters across the United States went to the polls on November 3, 2026, in midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and numerous state governorships. Ahead of the vote, The Guardian reported that all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governors' races were up, and that Democrats needed four more Senate seats for a 51-seat majority and at least 218 House seats to retake control. Al Jazeera reported that polls had opened in closely contested races, with Democrats eyeing historic gains. The Straits Times published live results and said the polls would determine whether Democrats can gain the power to challenge Trump's administration. The Guardian's later live updates reported that Democrats flipped Senate seats in Texas, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, and its headline said Democrats win control of Congress as voters punish Trump in a 'blue wave'.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   3 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian published an hour-by-hour rundown of when polls close across the US, noting that all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governors' races were up in the 2026 midterms.

2. Al Jazeera

   3 Nov 2026, 11:27 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reported that polls had opened in the closely contested US midterm elections, with Democrats eyeing historic gains that could change the trajectory of the country.

3. The Straits Times

   3 Nov 2026, 21:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times published live results for the US midterm elections and said the polls would determine whether Democrats can gain the power to challenge Trump's administration.

4. The Guardian

   4 Nov 2026, 11:13 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian's live updates reported that Democrats flipped Senate seats in Texas, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, and its headline said Democrats win control of Congress as voters punish Trump.