The 2026 U.S. midterm elections will determine all 435 seats in the House and 35 Senate seats, potentially reshaping the balance of power in Congress. (Foto: Instagram)
Voters in the United States will go to the polls Nov. 3 to elect members of Congress in contests that could shift the balance of power in Washington and create new obstacles for President Donald Trump. The midterm elections will determine all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. Although Trump is not running for president, the results could affect the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2029.
Midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term, while congressional elections are held every two years. House members serve two-year terms and represent districts across the 50 states, with representation based on population. A party needs at least 218 seats to control the House. Senators serve six-year terms, with seats contested in staggered cycles; each state has two senators, regardless of its population. The newly elected lawmakers are scheduled to take office in January 2027, when the 120th Congress begins.
Each state administers and counts its own votes under local rules, and the United States does not have a national election agency equivalent to Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court. Early voting and voting by mail are also part of the process. The results could affect legislation and oversight: a change in control of either chamber could make it harder for the administration to advance its agenda and could increase scrutiny of executive decisions.
Trump’s standing is a major factor in the campaign. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Oct. 19 found that 66% of Americans disapproved of the Republican administration, while 31% approved of the president’s performance. The survey found dissatisfaction was focused largely on the economy and the cost of living. The figures were among the lowest approval ratings recorded for Trump across his two terms, according to the article.
Economic concerns have also fueled criticism of Trump’s trade policy. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, he has expanded tariffs on imported goods, arguing that they protect U.S. industry and strengthen the domestic economy. The measures have prompted legal challenges, responses from trading partners and criticism from business groups. Higher import costs have also intensified debate over whether the tariffs are affecting prices paid by consumers. Rising fuel prices and the effects of the conflict involving Iran have added to pressure on household budgets, including costs for transportation, shipping and essential goods. Trump has increased his appearances at campaign events to rally Republicans and try to prevent the party from losing control of Congress.
Democrats are seen as having an advantage in the House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-214 majority. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 47% of voters preferred Democratic candidates, compared with 35% who favored Republicans. Projections cited in the report suggested Democrats could win between 220 and 236 seats, though the outcome remained dependent on close races in key districts. The Senate contest was described as more difficult for Democrats: Republicans held 53 seats to the Democratic bloc’s 47, and Democrats would need to gain four seats to reach a majority.
The House races are also affected by changes to congressional district boundaries. Texas and California led opposing efforts to redraw their maps to benefit Republicans or Democrats, and other states also changed their electoral maps. Those revisions could influence how House seats are distributed. If Democrats win the House, they would control its voting agenda and committees and could expand congressional oversight, including through investigations into tariff policy, the implementation of court orders and military operations abroad. In the Senate, a shift in control could complicate confirmation of senior administration officials, ambassadors and federal judges. The midterm results will not determine whether Trump remains president, but they could change the political limits on his administration.
