Voters Head to Polls in Final Push for Control of Congress

Americans cast ballots on Tuesday in the final day of voting for the 2026 midterms, a contest that will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Republicans currently hold majorities in both chambers, but a shift in power could limit the executive influence of President Donald Trump. The stakes are high given a generally unpopular U.S. war with Iran, rising inflation, and record high fuel prices that have strained household budgets.

Thirty-five Senate seats are up for grabs. Democrats need to win four additional seats to take control of the upper chamber. Republicans can afford to lose up to three seats and retain the majority, relying on the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance. Current counts show Republicans holding 53 seats and Democrats holding 45, with independent senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King caucusing with the Democrats for a total of 47.

Competitive Senate races are unfolding in Michigan, Texas, Alaska, Ohio, and Kansas. In Michigan, former Representative Mike Rogers battles former public health official Abdul El-Sayed. The race has centered on U.S. support for Israel. A surprise endorsement from Haley Stevens, El-Sayed's primary opponent, has stirred controversy among Democrats and welcomed support from Republicans.

In Texas, State Attorney General Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in a close contest. Paxton has attacked Talarico on cultural issues, while Talarico has focused on the economy and past political scandals involving Paxton. In Alaska, incumbent Dan Sullivan competes against former Representative Mary Peltola, who is running as an independent. Maine sees moderate Republican Susan Collins defending her seat against Democrat Troy Jackson.

Ohio and Kansas also feature key Senate contests. In Ohio, incumbent John Husted runs against former Senator Sherrod Brown. In Kansas, incumbent Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton, the senior pastor of the largest United Methodist congregation in the nation. Polls indicate close races in South Carolina, Nebraska, and Mississippi, states where no Democrat has won a Senate seat since 1982.

All 435 House seats are on the ballot for two-year terms in the 120th Congress. Fourteen races are rated as toss-ups, primarily in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Democrats need to gain at least three seats to shift the balance of power. Speaker Mike Johnson currently leads a Republican caucus of 220 members, compared to 215 Democrats.

Democrats are aiming to elect at least 100 women to the House, a new record. Women currently hold 125 of the 435 House seats, including 95 Democrats and 30 Republicans. Seven of the 14 toss-up House races feature Democratic women candidates. Several female gubernatorial nominees could also make history this cycle.

Twenty-six women are major-party nominees for governor, one more than the record set in 2022. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa could become the first Latina governor. In New Mexico, Deb Haaland would be the first Native American woman governor. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms could become the state's first woman governor. In Ohio, Amy Acton faces Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton is the first female nominee for governor in Ohio.

President Trump and former President Barack Obama have held rallies to appeal to voters. Obama spoke at a rally for Acton on October 24, telling supporters, "They can't hear your boos. They hear your vote." Trump announced a $5,000 cash payment called the "Trump Dividend" for adult Americans on September 9, conditional on Republicans keeping control of Congress. He defended the proposal as funded by economic growth.

At a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, last week, Trump urged supporters to vote Republican for every office. "We're going to elect Republicans up and down the line," he said. "We need that vote, otherwise, all of the great things we've done are going to change very quickly."