By Islam El-Sakka
Polls opened across the East Coast on Tuesday for the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. Democrats need to flip four Senate seats and three House seats to gain a majority, while Republicans currently hold both chambers.
Voting delays in Florida and New York
In Broward County, Florida, a barcode malfunction delayed voting by about 20 minutes at several sites, causing some voters to leave before casting ballots. Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said the issue was resolved by 7:20 a.m. and no votes were impacted. In New York, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted in Brooklyn and described his mood as "nauseously optimistic" about Democratic chances to win the Senate.
Trump makes final pitch
President Trump delivered a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, focusing on renovation projects rather than Election Day. He predicted Republican results would be "better than you think." The midterms are widely seen as a referendum on his second term, with his approval rating and concerns over the cost of living and the war in Iran driving Democratic campaigns.
Key Senate and House races
Tight Senate races are underway in states Trump won in 2024, including Alaska, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, and Iowa. In Michigan, Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers praised Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens for endorsing him over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who has received robocall support from former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Florida flooding forces polling place changes
Severe flooding across Florida's Space Coast, with up to 28 inches of rain, prompted Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency in seven counties. More than 20 polling locations were moved across eight counties, including Brevard, Broward, and Palm Beach.
Other Election Day developments
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy voted in Columbus, emphasizing economic concerns. Musician Bruce Springsteen posted a video urging election officials to uphold their constitutional duty. Ohio Senator Jon Husted commented on Trump's frequent remarks about his physique, calling it a source of levity. An Alaska voter reported confusion over two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot.
