The United States will hold midterm elections on November 3, during the second term of President Donald Trump. All 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 39 governorships are contested, along with thousands of state legislative and local offices.
Historically, the president’s party loses House seats in roughly 90% of midterm elections since 1946, though exceptions exist. Trump has encouraged voters to view the election as a referendum on his performance. Republicans currently maintain narrow majorities in both chambers. Democrats need a net gain of four House seats to take control and four Senate seats to secure a majority, while Republicans are working to preserve their current congressional advantage.
Key Senate battlegrounds include contests in Michigan, Georgia, Maine, Ohio and Texas. Democrats lead in polling averages as of early October, though political polarization and redistricting have reduced the number of genuinely competitive districts. The RealClearPolitics average showed Democrats leading by 8.2 points in generic ballot polling early in the month, yet analysts estimate only 40 to 50 House races are truly competitive.
Voters will decide policy directions on numerous issues. The cost of living ranks as a top concern in polling, with Democrats emphasizing affordability regarding food, housing, fuel and healthcare. Immigration remains significant, with some observers noting that ICE’s enforcement approach may affect Trump’s gains with Latino voters from 2024. Abortion rights, voting rules, tariffs and trade policy also feature prominently in campaigns.
Election integrity remains a focus of scrutiny, with concerns ranging from voter registration procedures to result certification processes. The outcomes will shape governance for the remainder of Trump’s second term and influence state-level policymaking on education, healthcare and election administration.
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