What Are Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections happen halfway through a presidential term. They determine the makeup of Congress and can reshape national priorities even when the presidency is not on the ballot.

What Is on the Ballot

• All 435 House seats are up for election.
• One-third of the Senate (about 33 seats) is up for election.
• Many states also vote for governors and state legislators.

Why Midterms Matter

Midterms often serve as a referendum on the sitting president. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in Congress, though the magnitude varies by year.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 midterms will include all House seats and Senate Class II seats. Learn more about how Senate classes rotate on the Senate classes page.

How to Participate

Make a plan to vote, verify your registration, and learn about your candidates. You can explore your current representatives on the interactive map.