Polls Open Across the US as Midterm Election Day Arrives
Polling stations opened across the United States on Tuesday morning for the 2026 midterm elections, with millions of Americans casting ballots to decide who will control Congress for the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency. The first polling stations opened in Vermont at 05:00 ET (10:00 GMT), followed by locations across the East Coast an hour later, including in the swing states of Maine and Ohio.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election, along with numerous state-level positions including governorships. Trump's Republican Party currently controls both chambers of Congress, and Democrats are hoping to flip enough seats to win majorities in both.
As of 23:30 Eastern Time on Monday, some 58.7 million votes had already been cast, according to data from the Election Lab at the University of Florida. Of those, 31.9 million were in-person early votes and 26.8 million were mail ballots. The Center for Election Innovation & Research reports that 97% of eligible voters in the US live in areas where early voting is an option.
Key Races to Watch
Several tight Senate contests in the Eastern Time zone are expected to provide early indications of the electorate's mood. In Ohio, polls close at 19:30 EST (00:30 GMT), while in Maine, where incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins is being challenged by Democrat Troy Jackson, polls shut at 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT). The Michigan Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers has also drawn intense attention, particularly after Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers over her party colleague, a move that Representative Debbie Dingell suggested is "galvanizing many communities" behind El-Sayed.
When Will Results Be Known?
The first results are expected on Tuesday evening after polls begin to close, with voting ending first in parts of Indiana and Kentucky at 6pm EST (23:00 GMT). However, election officials caution that the first reported results won't necessarily mean a winner has been announced. News organizations, including The Associated Press, analyze vote counts as ballots are processed to determine when to call a race.
A closely contested race could take hours or even days to call. It might not be clear for days whether Republicans will retain control of Congress or Democrats secure a majority in either or both chambers. Results will continue to come in throughout Tuesday evening, and some races may not be known until Wednesday or later as more states finish voting and officials release their counts.
Poll Closing Times Across the Country
The first polling stations to close will be in parts of Indiana and Kentucky at 6pm EST (23:00 GMT). At 7pm EST (00:00 GMT), polls close in most of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and the remaining parts of Indiana, Kentucky and most of New Hampshire. North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia close at 7:30pm EST (00:30 GMT on Wednesday). At 8pm EST (01:00 GMT on Wednesday), polls close in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, the remaining parts of New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, DC, and parts of Florida, Kansas, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas.
The Stakes: Control of Congress and the Trump Agenda
With Trump's Republican Party holding both chambers, Democrats are hoping to flip enough seats to win majorities in both. If they succeed, Democrats would be better placed to block Trump's plans and could also launch investigations into the president and his team. As BBC correspondent Anthony Zurcher explained, this could even include an attempt to impeach Trump.
The outcome will shape the final two years of Trump's presidency, determining whether he can advance his legislative agenda or faces a divided government. The midterms are also seen as a referendum on Trump's leadership and a preview of the 2028 presidential race.
Final Campaign Push
As the campaign season came to a close, President Trump delivered his final scheduled remarks of the 2026 midterm elections, saying Republicans "gave this a very strong shot" and that "we win in a landslide" if his supporters vote. The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots. In Michigan, the rift between El-Sayed and Stevens spilled into public view, with Stevens saying El-Sayed was "unfit to serve." Democrats condemned Stevens, though Dingell argued it is "galvanizing" voters toward El-Sayed. Trump also attacked El-Sayed on Truth Social early Tuesday, claiming he "hates Jews and Hates Blacks" and "also Hates Whites"—claims that were not substantiated.
Early Voting Surge and Legal Battles
The high number of early votes—over 58 million—reflects increased access to early voting in recent years, with nearly all eligible voters now living in areas where it is an option. This surge could affect the timing of results, as some states process mail ballots more quickly than others.
Legal battles have also emerged. The Supreme Court's rejection of the Trump administration's attempt to set aside 20,000 California ballots is one of several election-related disputes that could continue after Election Day. Such challenges may prolong the uncertainty in close races.
Broader Implications: A Nation Divided
The 2026 midterms are taking place in a deeply polarized environment. Voters in key states like Maine expressed mixed feelings about their choices. Norm Belanger, a voter in Kittery, said of Democrat Troy Jackson: "Troy Jackson doesn't excite me. He would not have been my choice for the Democratic candidate. On the other hand, I think he's the best choice of the two." Other voters said they weren't convinced to vote for any of the candidates.
The results will have significant implications for Trump's ability to govern. If Democrats win control of Congress, they could block his legislative priorities and launch investigations that could overshadow his remaining term. Conversely, if Republicans hold their majorities, Trump would have a freer hand to advance his agenda.
As the nation waits for results, the world is watching closely. The election outcome will shape US domestic and foreign policy for years to come, and the possibility of prolonged counting and legal challenges means the full picture may not emerge for days or even weeks. For now, all eyes are on the polls as Americans cast their votes in one of the most closely contested midterm elections in recent years.
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