What you need to know about the 2026 US midterm elections

WASHINGTON, DC, USA – Early voting has been underway for weeks ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections , when US voters will elect members of the House of Representatives and Senate and governors in states across the country. Held in the middle of each four-year presidential term, the midterms by definition do not involve the president. But for anyone who thinks they lack drama or importance this year, consider these two statistics: More than 100 million people likely will cast ballots in this year’s midterm voting, if turnout is anything like the previous midterm in 2022; and as of October 12, a record $3. 8 billion had been spent on political advertisements that have been aired so far. Top spending is in battleground US Senate races in Texas, Ohio, and Michigan, according to AdImpact, which tracks the activities.

Elon Musk alone has spent about $366 million to support Republicans, according to campaign finance records. Still, midterms generally attract fewer voters than the higher-profile presidential races. More than 155 million votes were cast in the 2024 presidential election, for example. Control of Congress at stake Plenty is at stake in this midterm election as Democrats try to win majority control of the US Congress. Currently, Republicans hold a 218-214 majority in the House, where there are two vacancies and one independent who caucuses with Republicans. Democrats must win a net gain of four seats to win control. Democrats also are fighting to win the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. They must net four additional seats to get control. Ten races, including those in Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia, could decide the outcome. Can midterms affect the presidency? Midterm elections generally are dangerous territory for the…