The 2026 US midterm elections will determine control of Congress, with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats up for election on Tuesday. Democrats are hoping to take the House and are also contesting a closely divided Senate, where races in 11 states are competitive.
Republicans currently hold 218 House seats to the Democrats’ 214. Two seats are vacant, and one independent member generally votes with Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats, compared with 47 aligned with the Democrats.
The elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term and do not include a presidential vote. Donald Trump took office in 2025, and the next presidential election is scheduled for 2028. However, the midterms are widely viewed as a measure of public opinion on the president and his administration.
The cost of living has emerged as a central issue. The source report says Trump’s approval rating is 32%, citing CNN’s polling aggregator, and notes that voters are concerned about high prices and inflation. Fuel prices have risen since the war against Iran began in February, according to the report.
A change in control of the House could allow Democrats to block Trump’s policies, investigate his administration and consider impeachment proceedings. The House can introduce legislation and amendments and impeach federal officials. The Senate confirms presidential appointments that require its approval, including Supreme Court nominees, and ratifies treaties. It also holds impeachment trials referred by the House; convicting a president requires a two-thirds Senate vote.
Beyond Congress, voters will decide 36 state governor races and contests for other state offices. Voting is not compulsory. Depending on the state, voters can also cast ballots by mail or vote in person before election day.
There is no fixed timetable for results. Each state counts its own votes, so the process may take days, particularly where large populations or substantial numbers of mail ballots are involved. Many races, however, could be decided on Tuesday.
Sources: CNN Brasil.