Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: as voters decide control of Congress

It is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polling places are open for the midterm election. This vote occurs halfway through President Donald Trump's second term and will decide which party controls the House and Senate for his final two years. According to Ballotpedia and USA.gov, all 435 U.S. House seats and 35 of 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. The outcome will shape the legislative agenda and oversight powers in Washington for the next two years.

For California voters, the stakes are high in the open governor race. There is no Senate race in the state this year. Polls in California are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. According to Ballotpedia, the state largely relies on mail voting, but in-person options remain available. California is one of six states using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting, a change that may influence how votes are counted in specific districts.

The House race is particularly tight. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority. Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. Notably, 21 Democratic-held districts voted for Trump in 2024, and nine Republican-held districts voted for Kamala Harris, indicating potential shifts in voter alignment.

In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority, while Republicans can lose only two. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. The winners will begin six-year terms on January 3, 2027. Key battlegrounds include Maine, Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, Michigan, and Georgia, according to race ratings from Cook, Decision Desk, Inside Elections, and Sabato as of October 27.

Governor races are also pivotal. Thirty-six governorships are on the ballot. Republicans hold 26 offices and Democrats hold 24. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a feat not accomplished since 2010. Nineteen of these races have no incumbent on the ballot. In California, the open seat is a focal point, with candidates vying for the opportunity to lead the state's largest economy.

The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on Trump's second term. Voters are reportedly struggling with high prices and expressing anger over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling shows that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the president for high prices.

Early voting has been robust. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high turnout suggests strong engagement from both parties. Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate. Democrats were described as cautiously optimistic. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber, making the margin of victory critical.

President Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he said, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during these events. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats fear interference as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

Money plays a significant role in this election. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024, including more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered, "The American people are angry. They want change." Voter sentiment is mixed. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, "I've just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he's doing an awesome job." James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything."

The stakes extend beyond Congress. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would boost potential 2028 candidates Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, and could complicate Vice President JD Vance's path. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern with redistricting, but new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn.

Election administration issues have also made headlines. A federal judge on Monday temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say this risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states' authority. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines so mail ballots are counted on time. Reuters notes that Wall Street is watching for more than control of Congress, as results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

To vote today, find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so check your state's rules before going. In California, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In other states, hours vary. For example, in New York, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in Texas, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stay in line if you arrive near closing time, as you are guaranteed a chance to cast your ballot. This election is a crucial moment for determining the balance of power in the United States.