US voters decide 120th Congress control and 36 gubernatorial races

Democrats seek to flip House and Senate majorities

Republicans currently hold a majority in both chambers, with 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, while 45 are held by Democrats alongside two independents who caucus with them. To take control of the Senate, Democrats must secure a net gain of four seats while retaining their positions in battleground states including Georgia, Michigan, and New Hampshire.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans possess 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214 seats. One independent caucuses with the Republicans, and there are two vacancies in the chamber. KCRA reported that Republicans hold 219 seats, including the independent who caucuses with them, and Democrats hold 214 seats.

Democrats require a net gain of four seats to capture the majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans are attempting to retain their control of both chambers, while Democrats are targeting a takeover of at least one.

Trump’s legislative agenda faces potential gridlock

The election results will decide if President Trump retains a Republican majority or faces a Democratic triumph that could render him a lame-duck president. If Republicans maintain control of both chambers, the current legislative status quo will continue, allowing the President to proceed with his agenda and face minimal congressional opposition.

Conversely, if Democrats secure control of one or both chambers, the President’s legislative priorities would face significant hindrance and potential gridlock.

Should Democrats win the House, current Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is expected to become the next speaker, making him the first Black American to hold the position. A Republican victory in the House would keep the speaker's gavel with the party, either under current speaker Mike Johnson or a challenger.

A Democratic sweep of both chambers could lead to party-line reconciliation measures, although President Trump would retain veto power over any passed legislation.

Analysts expect that the President will increase his use of executive orders if faced with a divided or unified Democratic Congress. President Trump has repeatedly claimed there is widespread cheating in US elections, although he has provided no evidence to support these allegations. Reports are now assessing the potential difficulties the President could face should he lose control of Congress.

Voters decide state-level power and 6,000 legislative seats

While the national focus remains on Congress, voters are also deciding which party will hold state power.

Republicans have maintained a majority of legislative chambers and governorships since 2010.

More than 6,000 legislative seats are being contested in these midterm elections. Democrats and their national allies have invested millions into state legislative races to influence the outcome.

According to stateline.org, Democrats have the potential to achieve significant advancements in state governments, though the partisan control of numerous legislative chambers remains uncertain.

Record $11.6 billion spent on 2026 election cycle

The highest spending occurred in Senate races in Texas, Ohio, and Michigan.

Campaign finance records indicate that Elon Musk has contributed $442 million to support Republican candidates.

Polls close as officials begin counting ballots

ET (2300 GMT).

Polls in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. ET (0000 GMT on 4 November). Alaska will be the final state to close its polls, with the process concluding at 1 a.m. ET.

Official election results may take weeks to certify according to state laws, as no state is required to finish counting on election night.

Unofficial projections may begin rolling out Tuesday after polls close, but the timing depends on the margin of victory and the speed at which election officials process ballots. States have varying rules for processing mail-in ballots, with some allowing early verification and others waiting until election day, though no state will release mail-in results before polls close on Tuesday.

In close election contests, it may take days or even weeks before the winners are officially determined.

Key Senate races and historical context for midterms

Midterm elections are historically perilous for the party that holds both the White House and Congress. Stateline.org reports that these contests typically benefit the party that does not hold the White House. Voter turnout is expected to exceed 100 million, based on participation levels seen in the 2022 midterm elections.

Voters are expressing increasing disapproval of President Donald Trump and are frustrated by high prices. A September Reuters/Ipsos poll showed President Trump's approval rating at 32 percent.

Historical trends show varied results for the party in power. In the 2010 midterms, Republicans won 63 additional House seats and maintained control of the Senate while losing six seats, an outcome President Barack Obama described as a "shellacking".

Republicans currently hold the majority in both the House and the Senate, with a larger majority in the Senate.

If Democrats win one chamber, single-party budget reconciliation bills would become impossible, requiring bipartisanship for essential legislation like government funding, defence spending, and debt ceiling increases. In a divided Congress, the party not controlling the White House often uses must-pass legislation like debt-ceiling hikes to force concessions, which can result in brinksmanship.

Stifel noted that if Republicans maintain their Senate majority, they would act as a check on both Democrats and many of Donald Trump's "populist impulses". The House is responsible for leading federal spending negotiations and overseeing committee investigations, while the Senate is responsible for approving presidential nominations for ambassadors, federal judges, and cabinet secretaries. Even if Democrats control both chambers, the Senate's 60-vote filibuster threshold would likely require bipartisanship, as neither party is expected to reach 60 seats.