The 2026 United States elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, encompassing midterm elections for all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the US Senate, and 39 gubernatorial races across 36 states and three territories. These elections will determine the composition of the 120th United States Congress and shape the balance of power in Washington for the remainder of the current presidential term.
Why Election Day Falls on November 3
Federal law establishes that congressional elections take place on ‘the Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November’ during every even-numbered year, which places Election Day 2026 on November 3. This fixed formula has determined US federal election dates for well over a century, ensuring consistency across election cycles regardless of the specific year.
What’s at Stake in the House
All 435 voting seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election in 2026, along with five of the six non-voting delegate seats representing the District of Columbia and US territories. Heading into the election, Republicans held an 218-214 majority with three vacancies, meaning control of the House remains a central storyline of the 2026 cycle, with dozens of competitive districts expected to determine the final outcome.
Senate Races to Watch
Thirty-five Senate seats are being contested in 2026: 33 as part of the regular Class 2 election cycle, plus two special elections to fill the remaining terms of seats vacated when Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance left the Senate for other positions. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 53-45 majority, meaning Democrats would need to gain a net of four seats to retake control of the chamber.
Governor’s Races Across the Country
Thirty-nine gubernatorial elections are taking place in 2026, spanning 36 states and three territories, with 15 of those 36 states featuring term-limited incumbents unable to run for reelection. Several competitive races are expected in states where Democratic governors are defending seats in states that voted for Donald Trump in 2024, including Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
State Primary Election Dates
Before the November 3 general election, states hold their own primary elections throughout the spring and summer of 2026 to determine each party’s candidates. These primary dates vary significantly by state, ranging from as early as March in some states, such as Illinois’s March 17 primary, to as late as September in others, such as Delaware’s September 15 primary, meaning the full election calendar spans nearly the entire year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Election Day 2026? Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Is the president on the ballot in 2026? No, since 2026 is a midterm election year, the presidency is not up for election, though all House seats and a portion of Senate seats are contested. When will winners take office? Winners of the 2026 elections will be sworn into the 120th Congress in early January 2027, following the certification of results in the weeks after Election Day.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 United States elections on November 3 represent one of the most closely watched midterm cycles in recent memory, with control of both chambers of Congress and dozens of governorships in play. With primary elections unfolding across the country throughout the spring and summer, and early and absentee voting options available in many states, voters have multiple opportunities to participate well before Election Day itself arrives.