The 2026 midterm elections will determine control of Congress, with every House seat and one-third of Senate seats on the ballot. (Foto: Instagram)
U.S. voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to determine the makeup of Congress in midterm elections that could create major obstacles for President Donald Trump during his second term. All seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for election.
The vote is taking place amid pressure on the Republican administration, including declining presidential approval, the prolonged war against Iran and rising living costs. With Republican majorities in both chambers at risk, Democrats see an opportunity to regain ground in Washington and limit Trump’s ability to advance his agenda over the next two years.
There is no fixed timetable for announcing the final results. Some local races may be decided on Election Day, but vote counting is not centralized under a single national agency. The pace varies according to the population of each locality, the number of mail-in ballots and the election rules in each state.
Those factors could keep the count going for days, particularly in closely contested states. Under the U.S. Constitution, congressional terms begin Jan. 3. In 2027, that date falls on a Sunday; the start could move to the following day, depending on whether a law sets a different date.
