Senate Stakes: 13 Races Will Decide Midterm Control

Voters across the United States are casting ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to determine which party will control the Senate for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press reports that this midterm election is being viewed as a referendum on the administration, with many voters expressing concern over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. The outcome will shape the legislative landscape significantly, as the results decide who holds the gavel in Washington for the remainder of the president's term.

Thirty-five of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs today. This includes 33 regular elections and two special elections for the terms previously held by Marco Rubio and JD Vance. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. To achieve a majority, Democrats need a net gain of four seats. Conversely, Republicans can lose only two seats to maintain their current majority. Eleven senators are not running for reelection, with four of those seats held by Democrats and seven by Republicans.

The Associated Press and Ballotpedia identify 13 specific Senate races as the primary battlegrounds where the majority could be decided. These races span a wide range of political leanings. In the Southeast, the focus is intense on Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In Georgia, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the race features incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff against Republican Representative Mike Collins. The state voted for Trump by 2.2 points in 2024, making it a critical swing state for the Democrats who are aiming for a net gain of four seats.

In North Carolina, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The seat is open because incumbent Thom Tillis is retiring after a period of tension with the president. The race pits Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. The state voted for Trump by 3.3 points in 2024. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Incumbent Republican Senator Darline Graham is defending her seat in a state that is generally favorable to Republican candidates, though the national mood and economic concerns are influencing voter sentiment.

Beyond the Southeast, other battlegrounds include Florida, where polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a special election is being held to fill the seat left by Marco Rubio. Republican Ashley Moody is running in this race. In Michigan, which voted for Trump by 1.4 points in 2024, the race is between Republican former Representative Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. The Associated Press notes that on Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers, adding a layer of complexity to the contest. In Ohio, a special election is also taking place, with Republican Senator Jon Husted facing Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown.

The Associated Press notes that Kansas, a traditionally reliable Republican state, has become central to the fight for Senate control. The state voted for Trump by 16.2 points in 2024, yet the race for Republican incumbent Roger Marshall is rated as a toss-up to lean Republican by various pollsters. In Maine, the seat held by Republican Susan Collins is considered a toss-up by all four major race rating services. The state voted for Kamala Harris by 6.9 points in 2024, and the Associated Press says that economic strain and tariffs have made the state more competitive this year.

Polling data from the Associated Press and NORC indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About 7 in 10 respondents say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the president for high prices. This sentiment is driving turnout, as more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans are bracing for a potential loss in the House while fighting to hold the Senate, with the Associated Press noting that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber.

In the governor's races, 36 offices are up for election. Republicans hold 26 governorships and Democrats 24. Of the offices on the ballot, each party holds 18. Nineteen of these races have no incumbent on the ballot, with 15 governors being term-limited. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010. In Georgia, the race is between Republican health care executive Rick Jackson and Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In North Carolina, there is no governor race, but the state is using a new congressional map after mid-decade redistricting.

The financial scale of this election is historic. The 2026 elections are expected to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees have outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. According to an Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more, signaling a strategy to lock in support in solidly Republican areas.