Millions of Americans are going to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November, for the 2026 midterm elections. The vote will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years, although it will not decide the presidency: Donald Trump will remain in the White House regardless of the outcome.
Midterm elections take place halfway through a president's four-year term. Voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate's 100 members. Gubernatorial elections are also being held in 36 states, along with thousands of state and local contests.
The results are expected to emerge gradually because polling stations close at different times across the country. Initial figures should arrive after polls close on the East Coast, while voting continues in western states. For viewers in Europe, the first results are expected during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The central question is whether Republicans can keep their narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to take control. A Republican victory would give Trump a clearer route to passing legislation and pursuing his domestic agenda.
Several closely contested Senate races could determine control of the chamber. Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia are among the states being closely watched. Republicans are defending seats in other competitive states, while Democrats are also trying to hold vulnerable positions.
The House contest involves all 435 seats, with control potentially decided by a small number of closely fought districts. Beyond determining the composition of Congress, the elections are widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's first two years in office.
Issues including the cost of living, the economy, immigration and foreign policy could influence voters. The outcome will indicate the level of public support for Trump's policies and help shape the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Sources: Euronews English.