Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections for a new direction

It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open across the country. This midterm election, held halfway through President Donald Trump's second term, will decide which party controls Congress for his final two years. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, along with one independent and several vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, whereas Republicans can lose no more than two seats to maintain their position. In the Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are on the ballot. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with the Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. The results will also determine the outcome of 36 governorships, where Republicans hold 26 offices and Democrats hold 24.

The mood in polling places is defined by a focus on the cost of living and the administration's handling of foreign affairs. According to the Associated Press, the election is being viewed as a referendum on Trump's second term, with many voters struggling with high prices and expressing anger over an unpopular war with Iran. Polling from AP-NORC indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of the president's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and most of those respondents blame the president for high prices. These economic concerns are at the forefront of the campaign trail, shaping how candidates frame their platforms and how voters approach their ballots today.

Democratic figures are emphasizing the desire for change and oversight. Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stated that the American people are angry and that they want change. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings are likely to follow. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight of the administration. He would become the first Black speaker of the House if his party takes control. A strong performance by Democrats could also boost the profiles of potential 2028 presidential candidates, including Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, while potentially complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance.

On the ground, voters are voicing their frustrations with the current state of the economy. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, summarized the sentiment of many by noting that he is paying more in taxes, more for healthcare, and more for everything else. In contrast, Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, expressed support for the president, saying he has been following Trump's work and believes he is doing an awesome job. These divergent views highlight the sharp divisions that will be tested at the ballot box today. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early participation suggests a strong turnout on election day itself.

Republicans are bracing for the possibility of losing the House while fighting to hold the Senate. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters emphasized that everything depends on turnout, stating that if they turn out their voters, they will win. Trump held dozens of rallies in the final days, ending his schedule in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to pretend he was on the ballot. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept a certain distance from the president during the final stretch, navigating the dynamics of a midterm election where the president's party often loses seats.

Money has played a significant role in shaping the campaign landscape. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An analysis by the Associated Press of AdImpact data shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in states where he won by 10 points or more. Democrats are hoping to overcome this financial disparity by focusing on targeted messaging and high turnout in key districts.

Redistricting has added a layer of complexity to the race. Six states are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting: California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio is also using a new map. Republicans tried to use redistricting to beat the typical midterm pattern, but new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as they were drawn. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts in the House, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. In the Senate, 13 races are considered battlegrounds. Key matchups include North Carolina, where former Governor Roy Cooper faces Michael Whatley, and Georgia, where Senator Jon Ossoff faces Representative Mike Collins. Other competitive races are in Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, Michigan, and Texas.

The governor's races are also critical. Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Trump won in 2024, including Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans are defending two in states that Harris won: New Hampshire and Vermont. In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running against Republican health care executive Rick Jackson. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is facing Democrat Amy Acton. The Associated Press identifies Texas, Florida, and Iowa as competitive governor races. Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, which would provide a significant legislative advantage at the state level.

Administrative issues have also made headlines. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue that this move risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states' authority over elections. In California, a judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time. These steps are crucial for ensuring that every vote is counted accurately and efficiently on this historic day.

Voters should know how to participate today. You can find your polling place at vote.gov or through your state election office. Poll hours vary by state, so it is important to check the specific times for your area. For example, polls in Alabama open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., while in New York they open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. In California, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., though the state is largely a mail-in voting jurisdiction. Anyone who is in line when polls close is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so it is wise to check your state's requirements before heading to the polls.