When are the midterms?
November 2026, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Primary, early voting, and mail voting dates vary by state.
Midterms, Explained
What are the US Midterms?
The US midterms are the national elections held halfway through a president's four-year term. They matter because voters do not only choose members of Congress. Depending on the state and city, a midterm ballot can also include governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, state legislators, judges, county officials, mayors, city council members, ballot measures, and local tax questions.
At the federal level, every seat in the US House of Representatives is up every two years. Senate elections are staggered, so roughly one-third of the Senate faces voters in each federal election cycle. That structure makes the midterms a national referendum and a local hiring decision at the same time: one ballot can affect control of Congress, state policy, and the officials who shape daily services where you live.
On The Ballot
What is on the 2026 midterm ballot?
The national story usually starts with Congress, but the ballot is broader than Washington. These are the race categories voters should expect to research before the 2026 US midterms.
US House races
Every House district votes in 2026. Control of the chamber can turn on a handful of competitive seats, but every district chooses the member who handles federal legislation, oversight, and constituent services.
Explore House racesUS Senate races
Senate races shape confirmations, investigations, treaty votes, and the legislative calendar. Because only part of the Senate is up each cycle, the map can favor one party or create a narrow path to a majority shift.
Explore Senate racesGovernor and statewide races
Many states elect governors or other statewide officers in midterm years. These offices can shape budgets, emergency powers, election administration, litigation strategy, education policy, and health programs.
Explore governor racesLocal races and ballot questions
Some of the most immediate decisions appear lower on the ballot: mayors, county officials, city councils, school boards, judges, and local ballot measures. These races often have less coverage, which makes a good lookup especially useful.
Find local candidatesIssues
The issues defining the 2026 US Midterms
The issue mix will change as the campaign develops, but these are the areas already likely to frame the race for Congress and state power.
Cost of living and the economy
Voters will judge candidates on prices, wages, housing costs, taxes, debt, and whether economic growth feels visible in their own communities.
Immigration and border policy
Federal enforcement, asylum policy, labor needs, local costs, and state-federal conflict are likely to stay central in both congressional and governor races.
Courts, oversight, and appointments
Senate control affects judicial confirmations, while House control affects investigations, spending fights, and the leverage each party has over the administration.
Energy, climate, and public safety
Local conditions often determine which version of these issues matters most, from utility prices and disaster response to policing, transit, and infrastructure.
Find the midterm races where you live.
Use a ZIP code for a quick start or a full address for the most accurate House district and local race coverage.
Go Deeper
Key Ballot Brief pages for the midterms
A broad US Midterms page should work like a hub. These internal links help voters move from national context to the races, dates, and resources they actually need.
Explore our complete 2026 election guide
Sources
Trusted sources used for this guide
- USAGov: Congressional elections and midterm elections
- US House of Representatives: Representatives
- Library of Congress: United States Capitol image
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress. No known restrictions on publication.