The key facts

  • On November 3, all 435 House members, 35 of 100 senators and the governors of 36 states are elected
  • Republicans hold a narrow majority in both chambers; Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats in each
  • Key Senate states are Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia

What is happening on November 3

Millions of Americans will vote in the midterm elections on November 3, 2026, which take place in the middle of Donald Trump's presidential term. The president is not elected in these elections — Trump will remain in the White House regardless of the outcome — but the vote will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years and, accordingly, how broad the president's opportunities to advance his policies will be. This is reported by Euronews in a breakdown of the upcoming elections.

What and where is being elected

On the ballots are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate. At the same time, gubernatorial elections are held in 36 states, as well as thousands of elections at the state and municipal levels. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress; Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each to take control. If Republicans keep their majority, the president will have a clearer path to passing laws and advancing his domestic agenda.

Key states and when results will be announced

The outcome of the battle for the Senate could be decided by several competitive races: among the states worth watching, Euronews names Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia. Republicans are defending seats in a number of contested states, while Democrats are defending their own vulnerable seats. In the House of Representatives the fight is different: all 435 seats are up for grabs, and control may be decided by a small number of districts with narrow margins. Polls close at different times depending on the state: the first results are expected after polls close on the East Coast, while voting continues in the West. For European viewers, the first data will start coming in overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Why these elections matter more than an ordinary congressional renewal

Midterm elections are traditionally seen as a referendum on the president's first two years in office. According to Euronews, the outcome may be influenced by voters' concerns about the cost of living, the economy, immigration and foreign policy. The results will show the level of public support for Trump's policies and will set the political configuration ahead of the 2028 presidential election.