Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: Republicans target House control amid economic concerns

It is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and the nation is in the midst of its midterm elections. This election occurs halfway through President Donald Trump's second term, and the results will determine which party controls Congress for the final two years of his presidency. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some 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 control. Thirty-seven of the 60 House incumbents who did not run again were Republicans, highlighting significant turnover in the chamber.

In the U.S. Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are on the ballot. This includes 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of the terms held by Marco Rubio in Florida and JD Vance in Ohio. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with the Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority, while Republicans can only afford to lose two. Eleven senators are not running for re-election, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. The winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

Governors are also being elected in 36 states. Heading into the election, Republicans hold 26 governorships and Democrats hold 24. Of the offices currently on the ballot, each party holds 18. Nineteen of these races do not have an incumbent on the ballot, as 15 governors are term-limited and others have chosen not to run. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to hold a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have maintained since 2010. Six states are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting: California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio is also utilizing a new map.

The mood around the election is defined by a focus on the economy and border security. According to the Associated Press, the election is being viewed as a referendum on the president's second term. Voters are described as struggling with high prices and being angry over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. adults approve of the president's job performance, and 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 people say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most respondents blame the president for high prices. This polling is one of several indicators being watched, but it underscores the economic concerns driving voter sentiment.

Turnout is the central theme for Republicans. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." The party is bracing to potentially lose the House but is fighting hard to hold the Senate. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber. President Trump held dozens of rallies leading up to the election, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told supporters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during the final days of the campaign.

On the ground, voters are expressing their views. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, "I've just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he's doing an awesome job." In contrast, James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything." These sentiments reflect the divided opinion on the current administration's performance. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early voting suggests a highly engaged electorate heading into Election Day.

The stakes for a Democratic victory are significant. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. Republicans have tried to beat the traditional midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats, by using redistricting. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote exactly as drawn, adding uncertainty to the outcome.

Election administration has seen some legal activity. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue 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 mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely, as Reuters notes that outcomes could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

Money is playing a major role in this election. 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. According to an AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more. This strategy reflects a focus on consolidating support in areas where the president performed well.