2026 Midterm Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
2026 Midterm Elections
What’s on the ballot in 2026
The 2026 midterm elections take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Every eligible voter in the country has something on the ballot this year:
- All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
- 33 U.S. Senate seats in the regular cycle (Class 2), plus special elections to fill vacancies
- 36 governorships
- Thousands of state legislative seats, plus local offices and ballot measures
Control of both chambers of Congress is in play. The party that wins the House and Senate shapes the legislative agenda for the final two years of the current presidential term.
Why midterms matter
Midterm turnout runs well below presidential-year turnout, which means each vote carries more weight. Midterms also serve as the country’s referendum on the sitting president. History is remarkably consistent on this point: the president’s party has lost House seats in 18 of the 20 midterms since 1946. Read the full breakdown on our historical midterm performance page.
Explore the 2026 races
- Races by state: select your state to see every 2026 Senate, governor, and House race on your ballot
- Key dates and deadlines: registration deadlines, early voting, and primary dates by state
- Bill tracker: follow what the current Congress is passing before voters render a verdict
Tools to get ready
- Election analysis dashboard: compare states head to head and check competitiveness scores
- Civic glossary: over 1,000 election and government terms explained in plain language, in English and Spanish
- Election timeline: the road to November 3, one milestone at a time
- Register to vote or check your registration at Vote.gov, the official federal voter portal
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 midterm elections?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Federal law sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Is the whole Senate up for election?
No. Senators serve six-year terms split into three classes, so roughly one third of the Senate is up every two years. In 2026, the 33 Class 2 seats are on the ballot, along with any special elections for vacant seats.
Why are they called midterms?
They fall at the midpoint of the president’s four-year term. The president is not on the ballot, but the results reshape the Congress the president has to work with.
Do midterms include state and local races?
Yes. Governors, state legislators, mayors, judges, school boards, and ballot measures appear on midterm ballots across the country. Check your state and local election office for your full ballot.