Voters weigh in on 2026 midterm stakes

Immigrant families view voting as a civic responsibility

WRVO Public Media reported on October 30, 2026, that new citizens and voters from immigrant families view participating in elections as a civic responsibility.

These voters describe the act of voting as a duty that extends beyond their own personal interests.

Texas voters seek security amid immigration policy debates

Leydi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen living in Texas, believes the 2026 election could lead to change if control of Congress shifts.

Gonzalez petitioned for her parents to gain legal status when she turned 21. Her parents currently hold authorization to be in the U.S. while they wait for residency approval.

Throughout Donald Trump’s initial term, the family deliberated on the guardianship of her siblings in the event that her parents faced detention or deportation.

Gonzalez says she is voting to provide a sense of security for her family. Saige Miller, a national politics reporter for NPR, covers these issues from rural Washington state.

Wisconsin and California voters navigate personal stakes in 2026

Nicole Solis-Sison, a 34-year-old naturalized citizen, is voting in her first election in New York City. She arrived in the U.S. from the Philippines at age 7 and previously filed for asylum through the former Immigration and Naturalization Services. To prepare for the 2026 midterm election, Solis-Sison created a personal voter guide and election diary.

Juan Escalante, 37, is casting his first vote in a general election in California. He became a U.S. citizen in 2025 and previously participated in a special election regarding redistricting. Originally from Venezuela, Escalante moved to the U.S. at age 11 and gained legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during the Obama administration. He holds the distinction of being the initial member of his family to earn a college degree and the first to attain U.S. citizenship.

Deisy España, a 24-year-old Wisconsin resident, is a U.S. citizen whose parents are from Mexico. Her mother recently obtained a green card, but the family remains concerned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement. España has been politically active since before she was eligible to vote in 2020. She believes the current election cycle carries increased risk due to Donald Trump's immigration stance and reports of ICE agents arresting people who resemble her parents. España encourages young voters from immigrant families to participate on behalf of parents who cannot vote themselves.

James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race

Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race.

PBS explains Associated Press election night call process

PBS published a guide on October 29, 2026, detailing the four essential points used by The Associated Press to determine and call winners for the 2026 midterm elections.