Voters across the United States cast ballots in the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. (Foto: Instagram)
Voters across the United States are casting ballots Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in midterm elections that will determine the makeup of Congress. The contests include every seat in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. The results could create major obstacles for President Donald Trump during the next two years of his second term.
The elections are taking place as Trump’s administration faces political headwinds, including declining presidential approval, the continuing war with Iran and rising living costs. With Republican control of both chambers at risk, Democrats see an opportunity to regain ground in Washington and constrain the president’s ability to advance his agenda.
There is no set timetable for announcing the final results. Some local races are expected to be decided on Election Day, but vote counting is not handled by a single national agency, as it is in Brazil. Instead, the process and pace vary across the country.
The time needed to count ballots can depend on a locality’s population, the number of mail-in votes and each state’s election rules. Those differences could mean that counting takes several days, particularly in states with closely contested races.
Under the U.S. Constitution, congressional terms begin Jan. 3. In 2027, that date falls on a Sunday, so the start could move to the following day if a law provides for a different date.
