November 3

Voters choose governors in six major open-seat races, including California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia

Six major governorships open due to term limits in 2026: California (Gavin Newsom termed out), Florida (Ron DeSantis termed out), Michigan (Gretchen Whitmer termed out), Ohio (Mike DeWine termed out), Georgia (Brian Kemp termed out), and potentially Texas if Greg Abbott retires. Of 36 total governor races, Sabato''s Crystal Ball rates Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin as genuine toss-ups heading into the general election. Democrats already flipped Virginia''s governorship in November 2025 with Abigail Spanberger''s win. Republicans hold 26 governorships entering the cycle; Democrats hold 24.

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Democrats need a net gain of three House seats to flip the majority from Republicans in 2026

Republicans enter the 2026 midterms with a 220-215 House majority. Democrats need a net gain of three seats to win the majority; Republicans can lose no more than two. Cook Political Report rated 17 seats as toss-ups as of April 2026, with 14 held by Republicans. Mid-decade redistricting in Texas, California, Missouri, and North Carolina reshuffles the competitive map. Historically, the president''s party loses an average of 28 House seats in midterm elections.

Senate battlegrounds in Georgia, Michigan, and Maine determine which party controls the chamber in 2027

Nine Senate seats are rated as battleground races heading into November 2026. Democrats defend seats in Georgia (Jon Ossoff) and Michigan — both states Trump won in 2024. Republicans defend a seat in Maine (Susan Collins), a state Kamala Harris won. Democrats must hold all their seats and flip four Republican-held seats to take the majority. As of March 2026, four Senate Democrats and six Senate Republicans announced they would not seek re-election, opening additional competitive contests in Alabama, North Carolina, and Iowa.

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Florida and Ohio hold special Senate elections to fill seats vacated by Rubio and Vance

Special Senate elections in Florida and Ohio fill the unexpired terms of Marco Rubio and JD Vance, who resigned to join the Trump administration. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Ashley Moody to hold Rubio''s Class 3 seat. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jon Husted to hold Vance''s Class 3 seat. Both Moody and Husted stand for election on November 3, 2026. The seats run through January 2029, when the full six-year terms end. Democrats view both seats as potential pickup opportunities given the anti-incumbent environment.

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Election deadline: U.S. National General Election 2026

Voting for U.S. National General Election 2026 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. Senate (35 seats - Class 2); U.S. House (all 435 seats); 36 Governors; State Legislatures. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

2026 midterm elections decide control of the House, Senate, and 36 governorships

Voters elect all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 U.S. Senate seats (33 regular cycle plus special elections in Florida and Ohio), and governors in 36 states and three territories. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats to win the majority; Republicans can lose no more than two. In the Senate, Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority. Special Senate elections fill the unexpired terms of Marco Rubio (R-FL, resigned to become Secretary of State) and JD Vance (R-OH, resigned to become Vice President). Thirty-nine gubernatorial elections are on the ballot, with 15 incumbents term-limited — including in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and California. The Cook Political Report rated 17 House races as toss-ups as of April 2026, 14 of them held by Republicans.

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Federal appeals court upholds Illinois's assault weapons ban, setting up a direct conflict with courts that ruled against similar laws

A divided Seventh Circuit panel ruled in Bevis v. City of Naperville on November 3, 2023, that Illinois''s assault weapons ban and Naperville''s assault weapons sale ordinance did not violate the Second Amendment. Judge Diane Wood, joined by Judge Frank Easterbrook, concluded that the banned semiautomatic weapons fell outside Second Amendment protection because they are substantially similar to military weapons reserved for armed forces. Judge Michael Brennan dissented, finding the majority''s reading of Heller and Bruen "cramped." The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the Illinois ban while the case proceeded, allowing the law to remain in effect. The ruling created a circuit split with jurisdictions where courts had struck down similar bans using the Bruen framework.

Biden elected president as Iran awaits sanctions relief negotiations

American voters elect Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Exit polls show Iran sanctions and nuclear diplomacy among key foreign policy issues. Biden campaign explicitly promised to rejoin the JCPOA and lift Trump's maximum pressure sanctions if Iran returns to compliance. Iran's government signals willingness to re-enter talks, as oil revenues have collapsed 90% under comprehensive sanctions. Global oil market anticipates sanctions relief could return 2+ million barrels of Iranian crude to export.

Oregon voters approve all-mail ballot elections

Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 60 on November 3, 1998, making Oregon the first state to conduct all elections exclusively by mail. Voters approved the measure 69 to 31 percent. County clerks had 20 days before Election Day to mail ballots to all registered voters, and ballots had to be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Oregon voters approve Measure 60 requiring all state elections be conducted entirely by mail

Oregon voters pass Measure 60 by 69-31%, making Oregon the first state in U.S. history to require that all elections be conducted entirely by mail. The initiative eliminates polling places and requires the state to mail a ballot to every registered voter. Oregon had previously conducted several elections by mail since the 1980s and had run a successful statewide mail-ballot special election in 1996. The Oregon model eventually inspires Colorado (2013), Washington (2011), and other states to adopt all-mail voting.