Understanding the U.S. Midterm Elections: A Beginners Guide

4 Nov

Every four years Americans elect a president, but halfway through each presidential term the nation holds another critical vote known as the midterm elections. While midterms often attract less attention than presidential races, they are a central part of the United States’ political system. They decide who controls Congress, determine the balance of power in Washington, and offer voters a chance to express approval or frustration with the direction of the country.

As the next midterms approach in November 2026, political parties, state officials, and voters are already preparing. This guide explains what the midterms are, why they matter, and how current events in 2025 are shaping the contests ahead.

What Are Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections take place in even-numbered years that fall halfway through a president’s four-year term. For example, with a new presidential term that began in January 2025, the next midterms will occur in November 2026.

Unlike presidential elections, midterms do not include the presidency on the ballot. Instead, they focus primarily on Congress (the legislative branch of the federal government), as well as a wide range of state and local offices. Midterms occur nationwide on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which in 2026 will be November 3.

Federal Offices on the Ballot

The House of Representatives

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election every two years. Representatives serve two-year terms, meaning the entire chamber is replaced or reaffirmed at each election. Control of the House determines which party selects the Speaker of the House, who plays a major role in deciding which bills reach the floor for a vote.

Because every seat is contested, midterms can dramatically shift the legislative balance. In some years, a swing of just a few districts has changed which party holds the majority.

The Senate

The U.S. Senate has 100 seats, with two senators from each state serving six-year terms. Elections are staggered so that about one-third of the seats are up for election every two years.

In 2026, about 35 Senate seats will be contested. These include several potentially competitive races such as the open seat in North Carolina, where outgoing Democratic Governor Roy Cooper launched a Senate bid in mid-2025. Early projections suggest both major parties view the 2026 Senate map as crucial for control of the chamber.

State and Local Contests

Midterms are not just about Washington. Dozens of state and local offices will also appear on the 2026 ballots. These include governors, state legislatures, attorneys general, mayors, judges, and school boards.

State elections can have immediate consequences for issues like education funding, infrastructure, abortion rights, and environmental regulation. For example, two states will hold gubernatorial elections in 2025, a year before the federal midterms, serving as early indicators of public mood. Several other states are holding legislative and municipal elections that could foreshadow 2026 trends.

Why the Midterms Matter

1. Control of Congress

Midterm outcomes decide which party controls each chamber of Congress. That determines whether the president’s agenda advances or stalls. A change in House or Senate majority can influence everything from tax policy to judicial appointments.

2. Public Sentiment

Midterms often act as a referendum on the sitting president and their party. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose seats during midterms. The pattern reflects voter desire for balance or dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.

Analysts at the Brookings Institution note that, since World War II, the president’s party has lost an average of about 26 House seats in midterm years. Whether 2026 follows that trend will depend on the political climate and the economy in 2025-26.

3. Policy Direction

Changes in Congress and state governments can alter the national conversation. For instance, state-level decisions in 2025 about redistricting—the redrawing of congressional maps—are already influencing how competitive some districts will be. In Ohio, a Republican-led commission proposed a map expected to favor the GOP, while Missouri’s governor called a special session to redraw districts following pressure from national party figures.

Such decisions can shape control of the U.S. House long before a single vote is cast.

The Road to 2026

With just a year to go, campaign activity for the midterms is intensifying.

Redistricting and Strategy

Political strategists are already identifying key battlegrounds. The House Republicans’ campaign arm has listed about 26 Democratic-held seats it aims to flip. Democrats, meanwhile, are targeting suburban districts and focusing on voter-mobilization drives in states with new or competitive maps.

Public Attitudes

A Pew Research Center survey in October 2025 found that Americans currently hold unfavorable views of both major parties and widespread pessimism about the country’s political system. Such findings suggest a volatile environment where independent and swing voters could play a decisive role.

Election Administration and Voting Rules

Election procedures continue to be a major topic. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to challenge mail-in ballot rules ahead of 2026, while many states have expanded early voting and absentee options following record turnout during the 2020 and 2022 elections. These differing approaches underscore ongoing debates about election security and accessibility.

How the Process Works

Voting in the midterms is largely governed by state law. Citizens must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and registered to vote in their state of residence.

Most states now offer some combination of:

Early in-person voting
Mail or absentee ballots
Election-day voting at designated precincts

Because rules vary, voters are encouraged to check official state election websites for registration deadlines and voting procedures.

Voter Turnout and Representation

Turnout in midterm elections has historically been lower than in presidential years. While around 60 percent of eligible voters participated in the 2020 presidential election, about 46 percent voted in the 2022 midterms. Experts note that when fewer people vote, the outcomes are shaped by those who do participate.

Civic groups across the country are working to increase awareness of how midterm elections affect local representation, federal funding, and legislative priorities.

How to Read the Results

When the votes are counted in November 2026, analysts will look for several key indicators:

Control of Congress: Whether the president’s party maintains, loses, or gains its majority in the House or Senate.
Swing States and Districts: Competitive races in states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan could determine overall control.
State Trends: Governorships and legislative seats will reveal how regional politics are evolving, influencing future redistricting and presidential campaigns.
Voter Turnout Patterns: Participation among young voters, independents, and new citizens often signals the direction of longer-term political change.

If the president’s party loses seats, it may face greater challenges advancing legislation. If it gains ground, that could strengthen its position heading into the 2028 presidential election.

Historical Perspective

Midterm elections have often reshaped Washington.

In 1994, Republicans took control of both chambers under President Bill Clinton in what became known as the “Republican Revolution.”
In 2010, Democrats lost dozens of seats amid backlash to health-care reform under President Barack Obama.
In 2018, Democrats gained control of the House during President Donald Trump’s term, providing a counterbalance to his administration.

Each example illustrates how midterms reflect public opinion and adjust the nation’s political direction between presidential cycles.

Why Understanding Midterms Matters

Midterm elections are essential to the U.S. system of checks and balances. They allow voters to influence the composition of Congress, shape state and local leadership, and provide feedback to those in power.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, the political groundwork being laid in 2025—from redistricting decisions to early campaign moves—will determine how competitive the races become. For voters, staying informed about these developments and understanding how midterms function is one of the most effective ways to engage in the democratic process.

Sources

The Daisy Chain Collective