Final Turnout Push Underway Across Texas and Key Battlegrounds Ahead of Midterms

UPDATE - follow-up to Midterm Updates: Trump heading to Florida for rally as election nears: Millions of voters head to the polls or return mail-in ballots as the 2026 midterm elections sit just three days away.

Texas Turnout Warnings

Texas Senator Ted Cruz warned on his Verdict podcast that Republicans risk losing both chambers of Congress and facing a statewide defeat in Texas if conservative voters do not turn out by Tuesday. Cruz pointed to early voting data showing heavy Democratic turnout and stated that Republicans could lose eight to ten close Senate races. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Ken Paxton is rallying supporters in Houston through a bus tour, and Democratic nominee James Talarico is holding a block walk and GOTV drive in Dallas.

Michigan Campaign Tensions

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's campaign asked primary rival Representative Haley Stevens to stay away from remaining events following a public dispute. Stevens had called on El-Sayed to condemn an outside ad linking military aid to Israel to rising prices and to remove a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson. El-Sayed accused Stevens of trying to relitigate their primary battle, while Stevens' fiancé, Jason Turkish, announced he would vote for Republican opponent Mike Rogers.

Voter Outreach and Border Issues

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is joining Democratic nominee Elaine Luria in Virginia Beach for a final-weekend rally as early in-person voting concludes in Virginia. In Texas, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is airing a 30-second Spanish-language ad titled 'No Te Dejes' during the Canelo Álvarez boxing fight to reach Latino men. Meanwhile, local voters and former Border Patrol officials in Texas express mixed views on immigration enforcement, deportation fears, and border security.

Context

Early voting figures from the University of Florida's Election Lab show that nearly fifty million Americans have already cast their ballots through in-person voting and mail-in returns ahead of Tuesday. Midterm elections traditionally serve as a referendum on the sitting president's party and often see lower turnout than presidential election years, making final mobilization efforts crucial for both major political parties.