Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: Congress and the White House agenda

It is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and millions of Americans are heading to the polls to decide the balance of power in the United States government. This is a midterm election held halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The results will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and the Senate for the final two years of his presidency. According to Ballotpedia, all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs, along with 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships. The stakes are high because the outcome will shape the legislative agenda and oversight capabilities for the next two years.

In the House, Republicans currently hold 218 seats while Democrats hold 214. There is one independent seat and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, whereas Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts in this race. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45, with two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. Republicans can lose only two seats to maintain their majority. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans.

The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on the president's performance so far. Polling from the AP and NORC shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. Only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most voters blame the president for high prices. The mood is tense as voters struggle with the cost of living and an unpopular war with Iran. Republicans are bracing for a potential loss in the House while fighting to keep the Senate. Democrats are cautiously optimistic about their chances to make gains.

Key Senate races are unfolding in several states. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins faces Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The AP notes that economic strain and tariffs have made this state competitive. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is running against Republican Representative Mike Collins. In Ohio, Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Senator Jon Husted. In Michigan, Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing Democrat James Talarico. In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper is running against former RNC chair Michael Whatley. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas is facing former Republican Senator John E. Sununu.

Governor races are also critical to the night's outcome. Democrats are trying to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades. Republicans have held this majority since 2010. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson is running against Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is facing Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Amy Acton. The AP identifies Texas, Florida, and Iowa as competitive governor races. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result, adding a layer of legal complexity to the evening.

President Trump has been active in campaigning, holding dozens of rallies in the lead up to today. He ended his schedule on Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told supporters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His recent stops included Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. However, many Republican candidates have kept some distance from the president during this cycle. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including assertions that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats have expressed concern about potential interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

Money is playing a significant role in this election. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the party level. This was helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to an AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This included more than 850 million dollars spent in areas where he won by ten points or more.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters emphasized the importance of voter turnout. He stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." DCCC Chair Representative Suzan DelBene offered a different perspective. She said, "The American people are angry. They want change." These quotes capture the divergent strategies and moods of the two parties as they approach the final hours of voting. The focus is on mobilizing the base and persuading undecided voters in key districts.

Voter sentiment is mixed but often driven by economic concerns. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, "I've just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he's doing an awesome job." James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, offered a contrasting view. He said, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything." These personal accounts reflect the broader national debate over the cost of living and the direction of the country under current leadership.

If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party takes the House. He has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. It could complicate the path for Vice President JD Vance. Republicans tried to beat the typical midterm pattern where a president's party loses seats by using redistricting. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn.

More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote numbers from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early participation suggests a robust turnout on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely as well. Reuters reports that outcomes could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The financial markets are looking for signals on fiscal policy and regulatory direction.

A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue this risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states' authority over elections. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on its lists of suspected noncitizens. These legal moves highlight the ongoing battles over election administration. Voters should be aware of these developments as they cast their ballots.