Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: deciding Congress control and key governorships

It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and the nation is casting ballots to determine the balance of power in Washington for the next two years. According to Ballotpedia, this is the midterm election halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The results will decide which party controls Congress during the final two years of his administration. This is a critical moment for independents and all voters, as the outcome will shape legislative priorities, oversight, and the political landscape for the upcoming 2028 cycle. The stakes are high because a change in control could lead to new investigations and significant shifts in policy direction.

The United States House of Representatives is entirely up for grabs, with all 435 seats in play. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. According to Ballotpedia, Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, whereas Republicans can afford to lose no more than two. Sixty House incumbents, including 23 Democrats and 37 Republicans, are not running again. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts, with 25 currently held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. Notably, 21 districts held by Democrats voted for Trump in 2024, while nine Republican-held districts voted for Kamala Harris.

In the U.S. Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are on the ballot. This includes 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of the terms held by Marco Rubio of Florida and JD Vance of Ohio. Republicans hold 53 seats, and Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority, while Republicans can lose only two. Eleven senators, four Democrats and seven Republicans, are not seeking re-election. Winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027. The Senate race is particularly close, with one or two seats potentially tipping the balance of power according to the Associated Press.

Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states. Republicans currently hold 26 governorships, and Democrats hold 24. Of the offices on the ballot, each party holds 18. Nineteen of these races have no incumbent running, as 15 governors are term-limited. Iowa's Kim Reynolds, Minnesota's Tim Walz, and Wisconsin's Tony Evers chose not to run, while Rhode Island's Daniel McKee lost his primary. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010. Six states, including California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting, with Ohio also adopting a new map.

The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on President Trump's second term. The AP-NORC poll shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of his job performance, and 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 people say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and most blame the president for high prices. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans are bracing to lose the House but are fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic. One or two seats could tip either chamber, making every vote count.

President Trump held dozens of rallies, ending his schedule Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told supporters, I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot. His recent schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during the final stretch. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats fear interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, and another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens.

The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. According to an AP analysis of AdImpact data, Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. Eighty-eight.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for. DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said, The American people are angry. They want change.

Voters are expressing their feelings at the polls. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, I've just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he's doing an awesome job. In contrast, James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted, I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything. The AP notes that voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates like Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg.

To vote today, you should first find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. Poll hours vary by state, so it is important to check the specific times for your area. For example, in Alabama, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while in California, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In New York, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in Texas, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Florida, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in both Eastern and Central time zones. In Ohio, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. In Pennsylvania, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Georgia, they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In North Carolina, they are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. In Michigan, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Wisconsin, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

ID rules vary by state, so you should check your state's rules before going to the polls. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, so staying in line is crucial if you arrive near the closing time. Reuters notes that Wall Street is watching the results not just for control of Congress, but also for implications regarding AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The results could add to investor concerns, making this election significant for the economy as well as politics.