Date and Event

• As of January 2, 2026, the upcoming major U.S. elections are the 2026 midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. These are the first nationwide elections since Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election (where he secured 312 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’s 226).

The 2026 midterms will occur during Trump’s second term and are expected to be highly consequential, as the president’s party historically loses seats in midterms. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress following the 2024 cycle.

Key Federal Elections on November 3, 2026

•  U.S. House of Representatives: All 435 voting seats (plus non-voting delegates from D.C. and territories) will be up for election. Winners will serve in the 120th Congress starting January 3, 2027.

•  U.S. Senate: 35 seats total:

•  33 regular Class 2 seats (currently 20 Republican, 13 Democrat).

•  2 special elections to fill remaining terms (both originally Republican-held):

•  Florida (Class 3): To complete the term of Marco Rubio, who resigned in January 2025 to become Secretary of State (temporary appointee: Ashley Moody).

•  Ohio (Class 3): To complete the term of JD Vance, who resigned in January 2025 to become Vice President (temporary appointee: Jon Husted).

Several incumbents (including notable ones like Mitch McConnell in Kentucky) have announced they will not seek reelection, leading to open seats and competitive primaries.

Other Major Elections

•  Gubernatorial races: 36 states + 3 territories (39 total), including open races in states like Georgia (Brian Kemp term-limited) and others with retiring governors.

•  State legislatures: Elections in 88 chambers across the country.

•  Additional offices: Many states will vote for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and other roles.

•  Special elections: Several House and possibly more Senate specials may occur earlier in 2026 (e.g., New Jersey’s 11th district in April 2026; others tied to resignations like Marjorie Taylor Greene’s planned departure from Georgia’s 14th district).

Primaries will begin early in 2026 (dates vary by state), with filing deadlines and campaign activity ramping up throughout the year.

Recent Context from 2025 Elections

The 2025 off-year elections (November 4, 2025) served as an early test of the Trump administration. Democrats performed strongly in several key races, including:

•  Gubernatorial wins in Virginia (Abigail Spanberger) and New Jersey.

•  New York City mayoral race (Zohran Mamdani).

•  Approval of a Democratic-friendly congressional redistricting measure in California.

These results were seen by some as a potential warning sign for Republicans heading into 2026, amid concerns over economic issues like cost of living.

The 2026 cycle is already drawing significant attention, with early polling, candidate announcements, and discussions of redistricting changes in states like North Carolina, Texas, and others. Many view it as a referendum on Trump’s second term, particularly on issues like the economy, immigration, and government efficiency.

For the latest developments, check sources like Ballotpedia, Wikipedia’s 2026 elections page, or official state election offices, as candidate fields and predictions will evolve rapidly throughout 2026!