US midterm elections 2026 live: Americans go to the polls in referendum on Trump’s agenda
The US Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both must approve federal legislation before it can become law and both play important roles in overseeing the executive branch.
TL;DR
- All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, with Republicans defending a narrow majority.
- 35 seats in the Senate are being contested, with Democrats needing to gain four seats to secure a majority.
- 39 governorships and thousands of state legislative seats are also being decided.
- The midterm elections have historically punished the party in power, with the president's party losing House seats in 18 of the past 20 midterms.
- The elections are seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency, with Democrats aiming to capitalize on discontent to gain control of Congress.
- Key Senate battlegrounds include Michigan, Georgia, Maine, Ohio, and Texas.
- The outcomes will influence the trajectory of Trump's presidency and his ability to advance his agenda.