The Federal Election Commission (FEC) lists Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, as the date of the U.S. midterm election, which USAGov says will determine party control of Congress for the next two years.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are up for election, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s 2026 election summary. USAGov describes midterms as elections held halfway between presidential elections. The Postal Service also lists 36 gubernatorial seats and numerous state and local races.
The presidency is not on the ballot. USAGov lists the next presidential election for Nov. 7, 2028.
Euronews reported in a Nov. 2 explainer that initial results were expected after East Coast polling places close.
Local election officials release unofficial results after polls close. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) says officials must canvass ballots and complete certification before results are final. The commission says the schedule varies by state and locality, so election-night tallies do not establish the certified outcome.
The EAC’s voter FAQ says final results may take several days or sometimes weeks. The FEC says state election offices certify results.
