Voters Cast Ballots in 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections

Voters across the United States are casting ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with several high-stakes races determining control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Senate and House Projections

Data analysts have provided varying outlooks regarding the outcome of the elections. Nate Silver’s FLIPR model gave the Democratic Party an 80 percent chance of flipping enough seats to seize the Senate, and Silver stated it would be a "major surprise" if Democrats do not win back control of the House.

According to the Washington Examiner, Democrats could potentially secure 51 Senate seats from states whose polls close at 9 p.m. or earlier, provided there are no major upsets. The outlet noted that Democrats start with 34 senators not up for reelection and could reach 43 by adding nine "Solid D" races. The report suggested that if candidates such as Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), former Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC), and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown are victorious, the Democratic count could rise to 46. Further wins in Michigan and Minnesota, which the Cook Political Report rates as "lean Democratic," could bring the total to 51 seats.

Polling and Economic Factors

While some data suggests a strong night for Democrats, NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki warned of a "wildcard possibility." Kornacki noted that Democrats hold a "pretty sizeable lead" of nine points on the generic ballot, but cautioned that polls have historically missed Republican and pro-Trump voters "badly," particularly in Midwest battleground states like Iowa and Ohio.

Kornacki suggested that pollsters may be receiving more responses from Democrats than Republicans, which could impact accuracy. He noted that President Donald Trump has received low marks regarding his handling of the economy and inflation. According to a Gallup poll, 50 percent of voters view the economy as an "extremely important" issue. Additionally, an AP-NORC survey found that 85 percent of voters ranked the economy as their top issue and 84 percent said the cost of living was their second-biggest concern.

Colorado Senate Race

In Colorado, incumbent Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper is seeking a second and final term in the Senate. He is facing a challenge from Republican state Senator Mark Baisley and Forward Party candidate Bob Chew.

According to The Denver Post:

• Bob Chew has spent nearly $3 million of his own money on his campaign and stated his primary issue is the national debt.
• Mark Baisley, described as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the state Capitol, has raised little money for his bid.
• Hickenlooper, the 74-year-old former Denver mayor and Colorado governor, has stated that this race is his last bid for the Senate.

Polls in Colorado are scheduled to close at 7 p.m., with results expected shortly thereafter. In the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Colorado, 2,500,130 votes were cast, and nearly 100% of those ballots were cast early or by absentee ballot.

Why it matters

The results of these midterm elections will determine the legislative balance of power in Congress, impacting the ability of the sitting administration to pass policy and influence the national political landscape.

---

Sources

• washingtonexaminer.com: You might be able to go to bed by 9:30 tonight
• thedailybeast.com: NBC Data Guru Steve Kornacki Raises Midterms ‘Wildcard Possibility’
• apnews.com: 2026 Midterm Election Results: Senate, House and Governor Races | AP News
• denverpost.com: Colorado US Senate election results: John Hickenlooper v. Mark Baisley

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.