Americans vote in the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Here is what is on the ballot, how to check your registration and polling place, and where to find official rules for your state.
Key Points
- Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
- All 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 state governorships are on the ballot.
- Voting rules, ID requirements and polling hours are set by each state.
- Official tools: Vote.gov and Can I Vote.
What is on the ballot
Every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 of 100 Senate seats and governor races in 36 states (39 gubernatorial elections in all, by the National Governors Association’s count) will be decided, along with state legislative races, local offices and ballot measures that vary by location. Your sample ballot, available from your state or county election office, shows exactly what you will vote on. See our 2026 US midterm elections hub for race guides.
Step 1: Check your registration
Registration deadlines have passed in many states, but some states allow same-day or Election Day registration. Check your status and your state’s rules at Vote.gov or Can I Vote.
Step 2: Find your polling place and hours
Polling places and hours are set by states and counties and can change. Look up your assigned location through your state or local election office. In most states, anyone in line when polls close is allowed to vote. See when polls close on Election Day 2026.
Step 3: Know the ID rules
Some states require photo ID, some accept other documents and some require no ID for most voters. Check your state’s rule before you go. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission links to every state’s election office.
Mail and absentee ballots
If you have a mail ballot, follow the return instructions from your election office exactly. Deadlines differ: some states require ballots to arrive by Election Day, others accept ballots postmarked by Election Day. Many offices offer ballot tracking online.
If there is a problem at the polls
If your name is not on the list, you can generally ask for a provisional ballot. Read what a provisional ballot is and how it is counted. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting in its general elections, according to the Alaska Division of Elections; see how ranked-choice voting works.
After polls close
Results reported on election night are unofficial. Counting, especially of mail and provisional ballots, can take days, and states certify results later. Follow our midterm election live results page.
