Elections
2026 Midterm Elections
Date, what's on the ballot, and how to vote in the 2026 U.S. midterms.
The 2026 U.S. midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and the 33 Class 2 seats in the Senate are on the ballot, along with governorships and state and local offices that vary by state.
What's on the ballot
U.S. House of Representatives: all 435 seats are up for election. Representatives serve two-year terms, so the entire House is elected every even-numbered year.
U.S. Senate (Class 2): the 33 Class 2 seats are up for election. Senators serve six-year terms, and the Senate is split into three classes so that roughly one-third is elected each cycle. The Class 2 seats were last contested in 2020.
Many states also elect governors, other statewide officials, and state legislators in 2026. Which offices appear on your ballot depends on your state.
States with a Class 2 Senate seat
These 33 states have a Class 2 Senate seat up for regular election in 2026. Select a state for its full election profile.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Special elections may put additional Senate seats on the ballot beyond the Class 2 seats — check your state's election office for the offices on your ballot.
How to vote in 2026
Each state sets its own rules for early voting, mail-in ballots, and registration. See state voting rules to compare deadlines and options where you live.
Whether you need identification at the polls also varies by state. Check voter ID requirements before you go.
Registration deadlines differ by state and can fall weeks before Election Day. Confirm your registration and deadlines with your state's official election office well ahead of November 3.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 midterm election?
The 2026 U.S. midterm election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
What is being elected in 2026?
All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the 33 Class 2 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election in 2026, along with state offices such as governorships that vary by state.
Why are midterms important?
Midterm elections fall halfway through a president's four-year term and can reshape the balance of power in Congress. With every House seat and about a third of the Senate contested, they can flip control of one or both chambers. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in the midterms.
Do I need ID to vote in 2026?
It depends on your state. Voter ID requirements vary — some states require photo ID, some request it, and some require none. Check your state's rules on the VoteAtlas voter ID requirements page.