Voters head to the polls on 3 November in US midterm elections that will decide control of Congress

Summary

On 3 November, US voters will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress or Democrats gain power to challenge Donald Trump's agenda, with Trump still in the presidency the next morning whatever the result. The midterms fall about halfway through a president's term and are often read as a referendum on the sitting president, which Trump has encouraged by telling voters 'pretend I'm on the ballot'. All 435 House seats are up, and Republicans are defending a narrow majority while Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. Thirty-five Senate seats are contested: 33 in regular elections plus two special elections in Florida and Ohio. Republicans hold 53 Senate seats to the Democrats and independents' 47, so Democrats need four gains for a majority. Voters will also choose governors in 36 states and three US territories, fill thousands of state legislative seats and local offices, and decide judicial contests and ballot measures on issues including taxes, abortion rights and voting rules.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   26 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian explains that the 3 November US midterms will determine whether Republicans keep control of Congress or Democrats gain power to challenge Trump's agenda, covering the House, Senate, 39 governorships, state and local races and ballot measures.