Photo credit: Annie Andrews for Senate
By BallotWire
10/30/2026
BallotWire on Election Night 2026
BallotWire is ready for Election Night with live race tracking, interactive maps, and more than 25 years of election history to help voters follow the results and understand what they mean.
Track every U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and governor’s race on the ballot with our updated 2026 Elections Tracker. Interactive state and congressional district maps fill in throughout the night as the Associated Press calls winners, race by race.
Following the results as polls close? Our When Do Polls Close? 2026 Times by State guide provides a state-by-state schedule in Eastern Time, beginning with Indiana and Kentucky at 6:00 p.m. and ending with Alaska and Hawaii at midnight.
For a closer look at how the results compare with past elections, explore our U.S. Election Results & Maps Since 2000 resource. The interactive collection features historical results from every presidential, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and governor election since 2000, making it easy to track changes in voting patterns across states, counties, and congressional districts.
Our coverage won't end on Election Night. As states certify their results, we'll add official state and county-level vote totals to our Election Results Archive, building on one of most comprehensive resources for historical election data.
In the weeks ahead, we'll also introduce new interactive tools, original research, and election analysis examining where voters shifted, which counties decided key races, and how the 2026 results compare with previous elections.
2026 Midterms: The Final Pre-Election Update
The Wire: After months of campaigning, unexpected candidate exits and major primary upsets, the 2026 midterms are just four days away. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, but more than 44 million Americans have already voted. Control of Congress, dozens of governorships and thousands of state legislative seats are on the line. With the campaign nearly over, the question is no longer how the races have developed, but where they stand heading into Election Day and what it will take for either party to win.
The State of the Race
The national environment: Democrats lead Republicans 51.4% to 43.2% on the generic congressional ballot, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. President Trump’s approval rating stands at 38.4%, with 60.1% disapproving, and nearly two-thirds of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
What’s driving voters: Cost of living and democracy sit nearly level at the top of the ballot. An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Oct. 27 found 34% of likely voters say cost of living is top of mind when they think about their vote, with preserving democracy right behind at 33%. Immigration is a distant third at 12%. The same poll found that 38% of voters say their personal finances have worsened over the past year.
The U.S. Senate math: Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, meaning Democrats must flip at least four Republican-held seats while defending all their own to take control. A 50-50 split would leave Republicans in charge, with Vice President JD Vance breaking ties.
Democrats' strongest pickup opportunity is North Carolina, where former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 11 points. Democrats also lead Republican incumbents in Ohio, where former Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown leads Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted by four points; Texas, where Democratic State Representative James Talarico leads Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by two; and Alaska, where former Democratic U.S. Representative Mary Peltola leads Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan by two.
Two other Republican-held seats are especially close. Democrat Adam Hamilton leads Republican U.S. Senator Roger Marshall by less than two points in Kansas. At the same time, Democrat Troy Jackson holds a similarly narrow advantage over Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Maine. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews and Republican U.S. Senator Darline Graham are tied, prompting Fox News to move the race from Lean Republican to Toss-up on Thursday.
Democrats must also protect their seats in Georgia, where Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff leads Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins by eight points, and Michigan, where Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leads former Republican U.S. Representative Mike Rogers. A loss in either state would force Democrats to flip an additional Republican seat to win the majority.
The U.S. House math: Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take control of the House, where Republicans currently hold a 218-214 majority. A party needs 218 seats for a majority in a fully seated House.
All 435 seats are up for election, but a handful of competitive districts could determine control. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates 17 races as Toss-ups, including 12 Republican-held seats and five Democratic-held seats. Cook shifted 19 races toward Democrats in its October 23 update and projected Democratic gains of 12 to 22 seats, comfortably above the three needed to flip the chamber.
The governors: Thirty-six states are electing governors this year, with Republicans currently holding 26 governorships to Democrats' 24. The Cook Political Report rates four races as Toss-ups: Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Contests in Ohio and Vermont have also become unexpectedly competitive, while a final Marist poll shows Maine's governor's race tied among likely voters. With several closely contested races, both parties have opportunities to expand their share of governorships.
The early vote: More than 44.7 million ballots had been cast nationwide as of Thursday night, according to the University of Florida Election Lab, including 23.6 million in-person votes and 21.3 million mail ballots. That is approaching the approximately 45.9 million early votes recorded during the entire 2022 midterm election, with several days of voting remaining. Overall, more than 112 million Americans voted in the 2022 midterms.
The backdrop: History favors the party out of power. Across the
nine midterms since 1990, the president’s party has lost an average of 23 U.S. House seats and bucked the trend only twice, under Clinton in 1998 and Bush in 2002. Trump’s own first midterm cost Republicans 41 seats and the majority, the steepest loss on that list outside Obama’s 63 in 2010.
Final Debates
This week’s debate schedule and where to rewatch.
Connecticut Governor: Democratic Governor Ned Lamont and Republican Ryan Fazio debated Tuesday at Mohegan Sun before the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, hosted by WTNH. Watch the debate
New Hampshire U.S. Senate: Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John E. Sununu debated Wednesday in their only general-election meeting, hosted by WMUR. Watch the debate
Iowa Governor: Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn debated Tuesday in Cedar Rapids in their final meeting, hosted by KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette. Watch the debate
Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District: Republican Representative Zach Nunn and Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott debated Tuesday at KCCI studios in Des Moines in their only meeting. Watch the debate
Michigan’s 10th Congressional District: Democrat Christina Hines and Republican Mike Bouchard Jr. debated Sunday on WDIV’s Flashpoint. Watch the debate
Vermont Governor: Republican Governor Phil Scott and Democrat Amanda Janoo debated Wednesday on WCAX. Watch the debate
Fundraising Roundup
Latest campaign finance filings, cash-on-hand totals, and notable donor activity.
Senate Majority PAC Raises Record $354 Million Ahead of Midterms
Senate Majority PAC, the leading Democratic-aligned Senate super PAC, has raised a record $354 million during the 2026 election cycle, surpassing the $306 million raised in 2024.
The group raised $151 million in the third quarter and ended September with $111.8 million in cash on hand. It is running advertisements in nine states, including Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi and Texas, as Democrats seek to expand their opportunities to regain Senate control.
Senate Democrats Invest $500,000 in Mississippi Race
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is investing $500,000 in Mississippi's U.S. Senate race, launching a coordinated advertising campaign with Democrat Scott Colom against Republican U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
The investment follows $1.2 million in spending from Senate Majority PAC, while Republicans have committed more than $1 million to defend Hyde-Smith. The Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, signaling growing competition in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1982.
Kansas U.S. Senate Race Becomes Most Expensive Election in State History
Advertising spending in Kansas' U.S. Senate race has reached a record $84.5 million, including future reservations, a 3,332% increase over the 2022 Senate election, according to a new AdImpact report.
Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton and his allies hold a $13 million advertising advantage over Republican Senator Roger Marshall and his supporters. Hamilton's campaign has spent $15 million, more than double Marshall's $6.3 million. More than $65.7 million in advertising has been directed at the race in October alone.
The surge comes as the Cook Political Report has shifted the contest from Solid Republican in July to Toss-up. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election in Kansas since 1932, but both parties are now investing heavily in a race that has become one of the country's most competitive.
Data & Polling Roundup
New polling and data insights on the current electoral landscape and emerging trends.
Democrats Lead Republicans by 8 Points Ahead of Midterms; Trump Approval at 40%
Democrats lead Republicans 52% to 44% on the national congressional ballot among likely voters, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. The Democratic advantage widens to 10 points among registered voters.
Independent voters favor Democratic congressional candidates 52% to 39%. The survey also found that 44% of likely voters say their congressional vote is primarily against President Trump, compared with 21% who say it is in support of him.
Trump's job approval stands at 40%, with 59% disapproving. A majority of likely voters (53%) strongly disapprove of his performance, compared with 24% who strongly approve.
Voter enthusiasm remains high, with 84% of likely voters expressing enthusiasm about the midterms, including 91% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans. Cost of living ranks as the top issue for 34% of voters, followed closely by preserving democracy at 33%.
The survey also found that 38% of likely voters say their personal finances have worsened over the past year, while 15% say they have improved. Meanwhile, 77% say they are confident their state or local government will run fair and accurate elections.
The poll surveyed 1,289 registered voters from October 19–20 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points among registered voters and 3.8 points among likely voters.
Andrews and Graham Tied in South Carolina U.S. Senate Race
Democrat Annie Andrews and Republican U.S. Senator Darline Graham are tied at 48% in South Carolina's U.S. Senate race, according to a recent New York Times/Siena poll, with 3% undecided.
Independent voters favor Andrews 57% to 37%, while President Donald Trump's job approval stands at 42%, with 55% disapproving. The closely contested race comes in a state Trump carried by nearly 18 points in 2024 and where Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election since 1998.
Graham, appointed to the U.S. Senate in July after her brother, Lindsey Graham, died, faces questions about her political experience. The survey found 51% of voters believe she lacks the experience needed to serve effectively.
The poll surveyed 707 likely South Carolina voters from October 19–26, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
Pappas Leads Sununu by 7 Points in New Hampshire U.S. Senate Race; Ayotte Ahead by 6 for Governor
Democratic Representative Chris Pappas leads Republican former Senator John Sununu 48% to 41% in New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race, according to a new University of Massachusetts Lowell/YouGov poll. Constitution Party candidate Edmond LaPlante receives 4%, while 7% remain undecided.
In the governor's race, Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Cinde Warmington 48% to 42%, with Libertarian Stephen Villee receiving 3% and 7% undecided.
The results highlight New Hampshire's history of split-ticket voting, with Democrats holding the state's U.S. Senate seats while Republicans have held the governorship in recent elections.
President Trump remains unpopular in the state, with 61% of likely voters disapproving of his job performance. That includes 22% of Republicans and 24% of voters who supported Trump in 2024.
The survey also found widespread opposition to artificial intelligence data centers, with 67% opposing construction in their communities and 62% supporting a statewide ban on new construction and expansion.
The poll surveyed 600 New Hampshire likely voters from October 2–19 with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
Jackson Leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate Race
Democrat Troy Jackson leads Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins 49% to 45% in Maine's U.S. Senate race, according to a new CNN/SSRS poll.
A separate Marist poll found Jackson ahead 49% to 47% among likely voters, with a wider nine-point advantage among registered voters.
The governor's race shows a larger difference between the two surveys. CNN/SSRS found Democrat Hannah Pingree leading Republican Bobby Charles 53% to 39%, while Marist showed the candidates tied at 44% among likely voters, with independent Rick Bennett receiving 6%. The CNN survey did not include Bennett. Among registered voters, Marist found Pingree ahead by 11 points.
Economic concerns remain prominent among Maine voters. The CNN survey found 44% identified the economy as their top issue, followed by 27% who cited the state of American democracy. Marist found that 46% of likely voters believe their personal finances have worsened over the past year.
The CNN/SSRS poll surveyed 783 Maine likely voters from October 20–26 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. The Marist poll surveyed 1,449 registered voters from October 22–25, with a margin of error of plus or minus 6.6 percentage points among likely voters and 4.1 percentage points among registered voters.
El-Sayed Leads Rogers by 6 to 7 Points in Final Michigan U.S. Senate Polls
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leads Republican Mike Rogers 51.4% to 45.1% in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll, with 3.6% undecided.
A separate CBS Detroit/Mitchell Research poll found El-Sayed ahead 51% to 44%, widening his advantage from four points earlier this month to seven points.
Independent voters favor El-Sayed 52% to 38% in the CBS Detroit survey, while Democrats back him 94% to 5% and Republicans favor Rogers 91% to 6%. El-Sayed also leads among women 56% to 39%, while Rogers holds a narrower 49% to 46% advantage among men.
The WDIV/Detroit News poll found Rogers with a 32.2% favorable rating and 49.2% unfavorable rating, compared with 42.2% favorable and 44.8% unfavorable for El-Sayed. El-Sayed's lead among independents reverses earlier polling, when Rogers held the advantage with those voters.
The candidates are competing for the open seat held by retiring Democratic U.S. Senator Gary Peters. Michigan remains a key battleground after President Trump narrowly carried the state in 2024.
The WDIV/Detroit News poll surveyed 600 Michigan likely voters from October 19–22 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.0 percentage points. The CBS Detroit/Mitchell Research poll surveyed 636 likely voters from October 26–27 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
Talarico Leads Paxton in Texas U.S. Senate Race; Abbott Holds Narrow Lead for Governor
Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 49% to 43% in Texas' U.S. Senate race, according to a new CNN/SSRS poll. Republican Governor Greg Abbott leads Democrat Gina Hinojosa 48% to 46% in the same survey.
A separate Texas Southern University poll shows tighter margins, with Talarico leading Paxton 49% to 47% and Abbott ahead of Hinojosa 50% to 47%.
Independent voters favor Democrats in both contests. The Texas Southern University survey found Talarico leading among independents by 16 points and Hinojosa by 11 points, suggesting some voters may split their tickets between the Senate and governor's races.
A Talarico victory would mark the first statewide Democratic win in Texas since 1994, while Abbott is seeking another term as governor.
The CNN/SSRS poll surveyed 923 Texas likely voters from October 20–27 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. The Texas Southern University poll surveyed 2,000 likely voters from October 21–25 with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
Support Falls for California Billionaire Tax
California voters oppose a proposed billionaire wealth tax of 50% to 42%, according to a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies/Los Angeles Times poll, reversing the measure's narrow lead in September.
Proposition 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on the assets of California billionaires to help fund healthcare programs. Supporters argue the revenue is needed to offset federal healthcare cuts, while opponents warn the tax could drive wealthy residents out of the state. Nearly $368 million has been contributed to efforts opposing the measure, compared with $36 million supporting it.
The poll also found 58% of likely voters oppose Proposition 39, which would require identification when voting and verification of voters' U.S. citizenship. Just 37% support the measure, with 5% undecided.
Two other measures that could nullify the billionaire tax are also trailing. Proposition 41 faces 47% opposition and 38% support, while Proposition 42 is narrowly opposed 45% to 43%. Both would restrict certain state taxes, and either could override Proposition 40 if approved with more votes.
Voters are more supportive of Proposition 3, which would make permanent an existing higher income tax rate on wealthy Californians to fund education. The measure leads 54% to 37%.
The poll surveyed 2,787 California registered voters from October 19–25, with a margin of error of approximately plus or minus 3 percentage points.