Americans Cast Ballots in Midterms to Decide Control of U.S. Congress

UPDATE - follow-up to U.S. midterm election results 2026: Full list of winners: Americans went to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in midterm elections that will shape the remainder of U.S. President Donald Trump's term. Voters decided all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 out of 100 Senate seats, and governorships across 36 States. Over 210 million people were registered to vote in the election.

Political Stakes

President Trump's Republican Party currently holds control over both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Democrats need to flip enough seats to secure a majority in at least one chamber to curb President Trump's legislative power during the second half of his presidency.

Polling Times

Voting concluded first in Indiana and Kentucky at 6.00 p.m. eastern time on Tuesday, which was 4.30 a.m. Indian Standard Time. Polling stations across other U.S. time zones closed in a staggered manner past midnight as early results began to emerge.

Context

U.S. midterm elections take place midway through a president's four-year term and frequently act as a referendum on the current administration's policies. These nationwide votes often shift the balance of power in Congress, which directly impacts the president's ability to pass laws.