Midterm Elections Guide
Last updated: January 9, 2026
What Are Midterm Elections?
Midterm elections happen halfway through a presidential term. They determine the makeup of Congress and can reshape national priorities even when the presidency is not on the ballot.
What Is on the Ballot
- All 435 House seats are up for election.
- One-third of the Senate (about 33 seats) is up for election.
- Many states also vote for governors and state legislators.
Why Midterms Matter
Midterms often serve as a referendum on the sitting president. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in Congress, though the magnitude varies by year.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 midterms will include all House seats and Senate Class II seats. Learn more about how Senate classes rotate on the Senate classes page.
How to Participate
Make a plan to vote, verify your registration, and learn about your candidates. You can explore your current representatives on the interactive map.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are midterm elections?
Midterm elections are federal elections held in the middle of a presidential term, two years after a presidential election. They occur in even-numbered years like 2026, 2030, etc. All 435 House seats and about one-third of Senate seats are on the ballot.
When are the next midterm elections?
The next midterm elections will be held on November 3, 2026. This will include all House seats and 33 Senate seats from Class II. Early voting and mail-in ballot timelines vary by state.
Why are midterm elections important?
Midterm elections determine which party controls Congress, directly affecting what legislation can pass. They often serve as a referendum on the sitting president and can shift the balance of power in Washington, enabling or blocking the president's agenda.
What is the difference between midterm and presidential elections?
Presidential elections include the race for president and vice president, occurring every 4 years. Midterm elections happen between presidential elections and focus on Congressional seats. Both include all 435 House seats, but only midterms are specifically called "midterms."
How many days until the 2026 midterm elections?
The 2026 midterm elections are on November 3, 2026. You can track the exact countdown on our homepage, which shows days, hours, minutes, and seconds until Election Day.