Americans vote in 2026 midterm elections with control of Congress at stake

Voters across the United States are casting ballots today to decide control of the House and Senate in a midterm election that serves as a referendum on the current administration.

Polling stations opened across the country on Tuesday as Republicans and Democrats compete for majorities in both chambers of Congress. France 24 reported that Republicans made a final effort to prevent a predicted Democratic surge, noting that a shift in House control would create the first significant political constraints on President Donald Trump since his 2025 return to office. France 24 also characterized the president as the most unpopular in modern U.S. history according to polls.

Early turnout data showed significant participation in some regions. In Michigan, state data indicated that 32.9% of active registered voters had already cast their ballots by 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to CBS News. This figure includes 750,469 people who utilized early in-person voting. Michigan voters are also choosing a new governor in a race between Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James, while an open Senate seat is contested by Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.

Logistical challenges and weather events have impacted some local operations. CBS News reported that ballot scanner issues were identified in New York's Westchester County, part of the competitive 17th Congressional District. Election officials assured voters that ballots which could not be scanned immediately would be securely collected and counted. Meanwhile, in Florida, extreme rainfall and flooding described as a "1,000-year" event affected parts of the southwestern coast, potentially impacting voter access in St. Lucie County.

Experts cautioned that final results regarding who will control Congress may not be available on Tuesday night. CBS News noted that close races often take longer to call and that delayed results are not an indication of fraud. David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation & Research stated that knowing the outcome on election night would likely require a "very big wave" of support for one party. Al Jazeera observed that midterm results are often decided by the roughly half of eligible voters who choose to participate, as many others typically stay home.

Background

The 2026 midterm elections include races for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and various governorships, following the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump.