2026 U.S. midterm elections

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Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico toast with Whataburger cups as supporters and photographers crowd around them.

Jon Ossoff stands at a podium outdoors, speaking into a microphone, with a campaign sign reading Health. Jobs. Justice. and leafless trees in the background.

Bar chart of midterm seat gains and losses, 1902-2026, shows president's party usually losing seats; largest losses were Republicans in 1922 and Democrats in 1938 and 2010.

A hand places a ballot in a box with an American flag in the background. Large text reads What's the point? with a blue arrow pointing to the ballot.

2026 U.S. Congress results: House has 256 Democrats, 169 Republicans, and 10 uncalled seats; Senate has 53 Democrats, 44 Republicans, 2 independents, and 1 uncalled seat.

Voters stand at electronic voting machines in a gymnasium at the West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on Election Day, March 3, 2026.

Map of US states with redistricting activity 2024 to 2026 blue certain or possible Democrat gain red pink certain or possible Republican gain gray none

2026 U.S. midterm elections: Media

What roles did history, gerrymandering, candidates, and election security play?

Videos

A hand places a ballot in a box with an American flag in the background. Large text reads What's the point? with a blue arrow pointing to the ballot.

How Do Midterm Elections Work?

Midterm elections determine who serves in many congressional seats.

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico toast with Whataburger cups as supporters and photographers crowd around them.

Historic night in Texas

Gina Hinojosa, Texas's Democratic governor-elect, and James Talarico, the state's...

© Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Jon Ossoff stands at a podium outdoors, speaking into a microphone, with a campaign sign reading Health. Jobs. Justice. and leafless trees in the background.

Campaigning in Georgia

Jon Ossoff campaigning for Senate in Georgia in 2020. As a first-term senator, Ossoff...

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Susan Collins

Susan Collins

A five-term Republican senator from Maine, Susan Collins lost her 2026 race to Democrat...

Office of U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins

James Talarico

James Talarico

A state legislator, James Talarico scored a stunning upset to flip a U.S. Senate...

© Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Voters stand at electronic voting machines in a gymnasium at the West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on Election Day, March 3, 2026.

Heading to the polls

Voters cast their ballots at a Houston, Texas, precinct during the state's March...

© Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle—Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images

Interactives

Bar chart of midterm seat gains and losses, 1902-2026, shows president's party usually losing seats; largest losses were Republicans in 1922 and Democrats in 1938 and 2010.

Midterm election trends

A detailed look at seats gained and lost during midterm elections, 1902–2022.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

2026 U.S. Congress results: House has 256 Democrats, 169 Republicans, and 10 uncalled seats; Senate has 53 Democrats, 44 Republicans, 2 independents, and 1 uncalled seat.

Interactive seat map of U.S. congressional election results for the House and Senate

An interactive diagram showing the party seat distribution and balance of power in...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of US states with redistricting activity 2024 to 2026 blue certain or possible Democrat gain red pink certain or possible Republican gain gray none

Redistricting, 2025–26 style

While redistricting normally occurs only after each census, political divides had...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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