Millions of Americans vote in US midterms that will decide control of Congress
The 2026 US midterm elections took place on 3 November, with millions of Americans voting for members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The outcome will determine which party controls Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
Millions of Americans voted on 3 November in the 2026 US midterm elections, choosing members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The midterms fall in the middle of a presidential term, and this result will decide which party controls Congress for the last two years of President Donald Trump's time in office. That, in turn, affects how easily the president can advance his policies.
What is at stake
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, are up for election. The Senate, the upper chamber, has 100 seats, and 35 of them are being contested this time. A party needs 51 seats to hold a majority in the Senate.
Current balance of power
Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats and Democrats hold 45, while two seats are held by independents. Democrats would therefore need to increase their numbers to win a Senate majority.
Key races
Attention is focused on six closely watched Senate races, in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Ohio and Texas. Media outlets, including Euronews, are tracking the main contests in the House and Senate and which candidates are leading.
Voting took place across the country. In New York City, for example, a volunteer sorted “I Voted” stickers, which are given to people who have cast their ballot, at the Brooklyn Museum. The results will show which party controls the legislative process in Congress in the next term.
