By Karim Hammam
Millions of Americans have voted in the 2026 midterm elections that will decide the balance of power in Congress and shape the final years of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Senate Battlegrounds
Control of the Senate will likely hinge on races in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. A party needs 51 seats to secure a majority in the 100-member chamber.
House Majority Threshold
All 435 House of Representatives seats are on the ballot, with 218 required for a simple majority. Democratic candidates have framed the election as a referendum on the administration’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis and economic fallout from the Iran war, while Republicans have portrayed their opponents as too extreme.
Result Timeline and Challenges
Final results are not expected immediately after polls close; voting in Alaska ends at 1 a.m. Eastern time, and officials will continue processing ballots received through Election Day. Potential Republican-led legal challenges and intervention from the Trump administration could extend the count for days or weeks. The Associated Press will provide preliminary data for live maps and charts tracking the shifting political landscape.
