US midterm elections 2026: What are they and when will we know the results?

Millions of Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November, for the 2026 US midterm elections. The vote will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years and how much power President Donald Trump will have to advance his political agenda.

But what exactly are the midterms, when will the results be known and why do they matter?

What are the US midterms?

Midterm elections take place halfway through a US president's four-year term. They give voters an opportunity to elect new members of Congress and decide which party will control the legislative branch of government.

Unlike presidential elections, Americans are not voting for a president. Donald Trump will remain in the White House regardless of the outcome.

Instead, voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 members of the 100-seat Senate. Elections for governors in 36 states are also taking place, alongside thousands of state and local contests.

When will we know the results?

Voting takes place on Tuesday, 3 November, but the results will not come in all at once.

Polling stations close at different times across the country, depending on the state. The first results are expected after polls close on the East Coast, while voting continues further west.

For European viewers, the first results should start arriving during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The biggest question is whether Republicans can retain control of both chambers of Congress.

Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to take control.

If Republicans retain their majorities, the president will have a clearer path to passing legislation and advancing his domestic agenda.

Which states could decide the outcome?

Several closely contested Senate races could determine which party controls the chamber.

Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia are among the key states to watch.

Republicans are also defending seats in other competitive states, while Democrats face the challenge of protecting some of their own vulnerable seats.

The House battle is different. All 435 seats are contested, with control potentially coming down to a small number of closely fought congressional districts.

More than a congressional vote

The midterms are also widely seen as a referendum on the president's first two years in office.

Voters' concerns about the cost of living, the economy, immigration and foreign policy could shape the outcome.

The results will offer an indication of public support for Trump's policies and help determine the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.