US midterm elections 2026: What are they and when will we know the results?

Loading the video USA Video. US midterm elections 2026: What are they and when will we know the results? Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 2 November 2026 - 14:20 GMT+1 Millions of Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November, for the 2026 US midterm elections. The vote will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years and how much power President Donald Trump will have to advance his political agenda. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT But what exactly are the midterms, when will the results be known and why do they matter? What are the US midterms? Midterm elections take place halfway through a US president's four-year term. They give voters an opportunity to elect new members of Congress and decide which party will control the legislative branch of government. Unlike presidential elections, Americans are not voting for a president. Donald Trump will remain in the White House regardless of the outcome. Instead, voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 members of the 100-seat Senate. Elections for governors in 36 states are also taking place, alongside thousands of state and local contests. When will we know the results? Voting takes place on Tuesday, 3 November, but the results will not come in all at once. Polling stations close at different times across the country, depending on the state. The first results are expected after polls close on the East Coast, while voting continues further west. For European viewers, the first results should start arriving during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The biggest question is whether Republicans can retain control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to take control. If Republicans retain their majorities, the president will have a clearer path to passing legislation and advancing his domestic agenda. Which states could decide the outcome? Several closely contested Senate races could determine which party controls the chamber. Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia are among the key states to watch. Republicans are also defending seats in other competitive states, while Democrats face the challenge of protecting some of their own vulnerable seats. The House battle is different. All 435 seats are contested, with control potentially coming down to a small number of closely fought congressional districts. More than a congressional vote The midterms are also widely seen as a referendum on the president's first two years in office. Voters' concerns about the cost of living, the economy, immigration and foreign policy could shape the outcome. The results will offer an indication of public support for Trump's policies and help determine the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election. USA midterm elections US Midterm Elections USA US Congress Top stories Now playing Next US midterm elections 2026: What are they and when will we know the results? Now playing Next Mbappé’s ‘Chinese dictator’ comment: How do Chinese people react? Now playing Next Skeleton puppets and zombies fill New York’s Halloween parade Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | November 2nd, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Ukraine needs help this winter, says acclaimed actor Coster-Waldau Now playing Next Paris riots: France investigates after petrol bomb sets officer on fire Now playing Next Serbia remembers 16 victims of Novi Sad railway station collapse Now playing Next Heidi Klum turns herself into a giant severed hand for Halloween Now playing Next Dashcam captures deadly private jet crash in Florida Now playing Next Heidi Klum's much-anticipated 2026 Halloween party costume Now playing Next Switzerland restores diplomatic presence in North Korea Now playing Next Russia reports 'massive' drone attack on 'industrial enterprise' Now playing Next 'Now, thank God, we have water': Uzbekistan’s tap water reaches 83% of people, but gaps remain Now playing Next Europe seeks Central Asia's critical minerals as producers push for local processing Now playing Next Londoners revive medieval jousting on electric bikes in Halloween spectacle Now playing Next Poland's president has 'no competence' to appoint judges, says EPP MEP ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT USA All nine on board Learjet killed in Florida plane crash near Trump's resort home USA Dashcam captures deadly private jet crash in Florida USA Trump rallies in Iowa and Kansas in final push as Democratic divisions shake up Michigan North Korea Swiss foreign minister makes first North Korea visit since 2003 as diplomatic office reopens Europe Today 'Absolutely no legal basis' for chaotic scenes in Poland's top court, says Polish secretary of state Europe Today Europe doesn't 'care enough' about Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, says Mary Robinson Europe News One Czech national and four US citizens among Spain train crash dead, officials say Europe Today Europe Today: Tusk v Nawrocki: Poland's Constitutional Tribunal crisis explodes Europe News Le Pen condemns Poland's Constitutional Tribunal crisis, Sikorski tells her not to interfere Europe News Initial results show Bulgaria's acting president Yotova wins runoff election Europe News Heidi Klum's 2026 Halloween party costume: a giant bloody replica of her own hand No Comment Looted shops, burning barricades as riots erupt in Frankfurt ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Heidi Klum turns herself into a giant severed hand for Halloween Europe News Germany 'Gen Z' protests turn violent as shops looted No Comment Flags, banners and chants at youth protest in Berlin Europe News Bulgarians head to the polls in tense presidential runoff Culture Series The world according to Ellen von Unwerth: Glamour, sensuality and photography Europe News Russia says 'massive' drone attack targeted 'industrial enterprise' amid reports oil refinery hit Europe News Poland crisis: Donald Tusk strikes defiant tone vowing ‘no compromise’ on rule of law after Tribunal clash Sport Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026: Heavyweights deliver a spectacular finale ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT