US midterms 2026: primaries, funding deal and election fights set the stage for November
With 99 days to go, five states have held primaries, Congress has averted a pre-election shutdown, and disputes over voting rules and election integrity are intensifying ahead of November 3.
The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026, during Donald Trump's second term. All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are contested, determining the 120th Congress. Democrats need a net gain of three seats for a House majority and four for the Senate.
Five states held primary elections on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in the first major test of the midterm campaign, with Michigan's Democratic Senate primary between Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens drawing the most attention. Missouri's 1st Congressional District race and Michigan's governor primary were also on the ballot. The general election follows on November 3. The stakes are high. All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats will be contested, determining the composition of the 120th Congress midway through Donald Trump's nonconsecutive second term. Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the House and four to take the Senate, while Republicans are largely defending their Senate seats with limited pickup opportunities. The campaign is unfolding against an unusually tense backdrop. Senators Susan Collins and Patty Murray struck a deal to fund the government until December 11, averting a pre-election shutdown, but disputes over voting access, election legislation and the rising cost of living are already shaping the race.
What is at stake on November 3
The midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, near the midpoint of Donald Trump's nonconsecutive second term as president. Every one of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be contested, along with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate. Together, the results will determine the composition of the 120th United States Congress.
The arithmetic facing Democrats is clear. They need a net gain of three seats to take control of the House, and four to win the Senate. The Senate map offers them limited room to manoeuvre: Republicans are largely defending their own seats this cycle, with few opportunities for either side to pick up additional ground. That makes each competitive race disproportionately important, and helps explain the intensity of the primary contests and spending fights already under way months before election day.
August primaries test both parties, led by Michigan's costly Senate race
Voters in five states went to the polls on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in one of the busiest primary days of the midterm calendar. Michigan drew the most attention, hosting both a Senate primary and a governor primary, while Missouri's 1st Congressional District race was also decided.
In Michigan, Democrats chose between Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens as their Senate nominee. The contest was described by observers as the most expensive Democratic Senate primary race ever, according to reporting on the campaign. The results were not yet known at the time of writing, leaving open who will carry the party's banner into November, when control of both chambers of Congress is on the line.
99 days before the midterms
Primary elections held in five states, including Michigan's Senate and governor primaries and Missouri's 1st Congressional District race
2026 United States midterm elections scheduled, with all 435 House seats and 35 of 100 Senate seats contested, determining the 120th Congress
Government funding deal reached by Senators Susan Collins and Patty Murray extends funding until this date, averting a pre-election shutdown
Shutdown averted as Trump presses election demands
Senate Appropriations Committee leaders Susan Collins, a Republican, and Patty Murray, a Democrat, have reached a deal to keep the government funded until December 11, averting a shutdown ahead of the November elections.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has pushed the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, an election bill he argues is needed before the midterms, according to reports. Republicans are not unified behind fast-tracking the measure.
Separately, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned state officials at a Friday gathering in Washington that they could lose funding or face investigations if they do not comply with Trump's election-related demands, according to reporting on the meeting. Mullin's push echoed claims by Trump about risks surrounding the midterms. Trump has described an ongoing election interference "coverup," though he has provided no evidence to support the claim. Reports also suggest Trump has taken steps that position him to reject the midterm results.
Costs, polling access and outside money shape the campaign
Voters heading into the campaign report rising costs for food, rent and gas, according to reporting on economic conditions ahead of the vote. Renewed tariffs have taken effect and energy prices have climbed amid a war with Iran, those reports say.
Outside money is also in play. A Newsweek analysis identified states where a revived America PAC, associated with Elon Musk, could have the greatest impact in November, though the specific states were not named.
Voting access has become a fight of its own. According to reports, a vote was scheduled on a proposal to cut election day polling sites from 316 to 176 and early voting sites from 50 to 42, with members of the public removed from the meeting beforehand. The jurisdiction and the outcome of that vote are not known.
Commentary has even identified users of Ozempic as a voter demographic that could influence the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 US midterm elections?
The 2026 United States midterm elections are scheduled largely for November 3, 2026, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats will be contested. The results will determine the composition of the 120th United States Congress, midway through Donald Trump's nonconsecutive second term as president.
How many seats do Democrats need to win the House and Senate in 2026?
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to win a majority in the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are up for election. In the Senate, they need a net gain of four seats. Republicans are largely defending their Senate seats this cycle, with limited opportunities to pick up additional ones. The current partisan breakdown heading into November has not been stated.
What happened in the August 4, 2026 primary elections?
Five states held primaries on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. They included Michigan's Senate and governor primaries and Missouri's 1st Congressional District race; the other states have not been identified. Michigan's Democratic Senate primary pitted Abdul El-Sayed against Representative Haley Stevens in what has been described as the most expensive Democratic Senate primary ever, according to reports. The outcome has not been stated.
What is the SAVE America Act and will it pass?
The SAVE America Act is an election bill President Donald Trump has pushed the Senate to pass, arguing it is needed before the midterm elections, according to reports. Its specific provisions have not been established, and it is not known whether it passed. Reports also indicate Republicans are not unified behind fast-tracking the measure, leaving its prospects uncertain ahead of November.
How are the 2026 midterms affecting government funding and the economy?
Senate Appropriations Committee leaders Susan Collins, a Republican, and Patty Murray, a Democrat, reached a deal to keep the government funded until December 11, averting a shutdown ahead of the midterms. Separately, reports say Americans face rising costs for food, rent, and gas, with renewed tariffs in effect and energy prices up amid a war with Iran, according to reporting on pre-election economic conditions.
Compiled from reporting by 13 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
