Archive · 16 Sep 2026
What to Know About the 2026 US Midterm Elections
Midterm elections happen halfway through a president’s four-year term.
The president and vice president are not elected during midterms.
Voters choose all members of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the Senate.
They may also vote for governors, judges, state lawmakers and local officials.
Some states will include special questions called ballot measures.
People can register to vote online, by mail or in person, depending on their state.
Citizens living overseas and eligible military families can use the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Registration deadlines and required documents are different in each state.
The provided information does not give the exact date of the 2026 general election.
The 2026 midterms will be held across all 50 states, but the provided information does not specify the general election date.
All 435 House seats and roughly one-third of the 100 Senate seats will be contested.
Many states will also vote on governors, state legislators, judges, local offices and ballot measures.
Voters can register online, by mail or in person, with options varying by state and territory.
Registration deadlines and documentation requirements differ by state, so voters should consult their official election office.
- Who
- US voters, candidates, political parties and state election officials are involved.
- What
- The 2026 midterm elections will decide all 435 House seats, roughly one-third of Senate seats and various state and local offices.
- When
- The elections occur in 2026; primary dates vary by state, and the exact general-election date is not specified in the provided information.
- Where
- The elections take place across all 50 states, with additional state and local contests.
- Why
- They are held halfway through a president’s four-year term and determine the composition of Congress and other elected offices.
- Election type
- US midterm elections
- Year
- 2026
- House seats
- All 435 seats are contested
- Senate seats
- Roughly one-third of the 100 seats are contested
- Registration methods
- Online, by mail or in person, depending on the state
- Eligibility basics
- Generally, voters must be US citizens, be at least 18 by Election Day and meet applicable residency requirements
- Deadlines
- There is no nationwide registration deadline; rules range from Election Day registration to deadlines up to 30 days before the election