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2026 Elections
2026 Midterm Election Countdown
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The countdown below is live — days, hours, minutes, and seconds until polls open for the 2026 midterms, when every House seat and one-third of the Senate are on the ballot.
Election Day · November 3, 2026
Every Date Between Now and the New Congress
Election Day is one date in a sequence. These are the deadlines that decide whether you can vote in it, and what happens after.
| Milestone | Date | Countdown |
|---|---|---|
| Last primary of the cycleDelaware — every other state has voted | Sep 15, 2026 | — |
| First early voting opensMinnesota and South Dakota — the first in-person ballots in the country | Sep 18, 2026 | — |
| Biggest registration deadline10 states close registration on this one day | Oct 4, 2026 | — |
| Last registration deadlineConnecticut — after this, only same-day states are still open | Oct 27, 2026 | — |
| Election DayPolls close 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET — all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats | Nov 3, 2026 | — |
| Senate runoffs, if neededGeorgia and Mississippi require a majority to win outright | Dec 1, 2026 | — |
| 120th Congress convenesMembers sworn in at noon; the House elects a Speaker | Jan 3, 2027 | — |
Quick Answer
- Election Day
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- House Seats Up
- All 435 voting seats
- Senate Seats Up
- 33 Class II seats, plus any special elections
- New Congress Sworn In
- January 3, 2027 (120th Congress)
- Early Voting
- Varies by state — most states open in September–October 2026
When Is Election Day 2026?
Federal law sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In 2026 that is November 3. Because 2026 falls halfway through a presidential term, these are midterm elections — the presidency is not on the ballot, but control of both chambers of Congress is.
The date is fixed, but how you can vote is not: most states offer early in-person voting and mail ballots on their own schedules, generally starting in September or October 2026. Registration deadlines land even earlier in many states — check your state's dates on the 2026 election timeline.
What's on the Ballot
- All 435 House seats. Representatives serve two-year terms, so the entire chamber is elected every midterm and presidential year. See what Democrats need to flip the House and how Republicans could hold it.
- 33 Senate seats (Class II), plus any special elections. Senators serve six-year terms staggered into three classes, so only about a third of the Senate is up in any election year.
- Governors and state offices in many states, along with state legislatures and ballot measures.
Key Dates Between Now and November 3
The primary calendar closed on September 15, 2026 with Delaware, the last state to vote. What is left between now and November 3 is state-by-state voter registration deadlines, then the start of early and mail voting — the first in-person ballots are cast in mid-September, almost seven weeks before Election Day:
- Early voting dates by state — when the polls open where you live, plus all-mail and absentee rules.
- Who is on the November ballot — the nominee in every Senate race, decided in the primaries.
- Balance of power — the full Senate map and what each party needs for a majority.
- Full 2026 election timeline — registration deadlines, early voting, Election Day, and certification.
Live on Congress Countdown
Build your personal voting plan
Registration deadlines, early voting, mail ballots, voter ID, and poll hours for your state — with a printable checklist and calendar download.
When Does the New Congress Take Office?
Winning candidates do not take office right away. Under the 20th Amendment, the new Congress — the 120th Congress — convenes at noon on January 3, 2027. The two months in between are the lame-duck period, when the outgoing 119th Congress can still pass legislation.
Live on Congress Countdown
See the live countdown for every member of Congress
Interactive map with term-end countdowns for all 100 senators and 435 representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days until the 2026 midterm elections?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until the 2026 midterms.
When are the 2026 midterm elections?
The 2026 midterm elections are on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, as set by federal law. All 435 House seats and 33 Class II Senate seats are on the ballot.
Is there a presidential election in 2026?
No. 2026 is a midterm election year, held halfway through the presidential term. The next presidential election is in November 2028. Midterms decide control of the House and Senate.
When will the 120th Congress be sworn in?
The 120th Congress convenes at noon on January 3, 2027, as required by the 20th Amendment. Members elected in November 2026 take office on that date.
When does early voting start for the 2026 midterms?
Early voting dates vary by state. Most states open early in-person or mail voting in September or October 2026, and registration deadlines can fall weeks before Election Day. Check your state’s dates on our 2026 election timeline.
Related Resources
Who Controls Congress After 2026?
Live balance of power — the Senate map, what each party needs, and results as races are called.
How to Vote in Your State
Registration deadlines, early voting, mail ballots, voter ID, and poll hours for all 50 states and D.C. — with a plan builder you can add to your calendar.
Judicial Elections: How Judges Are Chosen
How every state picks its judges, all 63 state supreme court seats on the 2026 ballot, retention votes, and how the Senate confirms federal judges.
Who’s Leaving Congress?
Every senator and representative not returning in 2027 — retiring, running for another office, or beaten in a primary.