Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: cost of living and Iran war

It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open across the nation for the midterm elections. This contest occurs halfway through President Donald Trump's second term, meaning the results will determine which party controls Congress for his final two years in office. According to the Associated Press, the election is being viewed as a referendum on the administration, with many voters struggling with high prices and expressing anger over the unpopular war with Iran. The stakes are high as Democrats aim to secure a majority in at least one chamber to launch investigations and potential impeachment proceedings.

The House of Representatives is at the center of the day's action, with all 435 seats up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, leaving one seat to an independent with some vacancies remaining. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to achieve a majority, whereas Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts that could decide the chamber. In the Senate, 35 seats are on the ballot, including 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of terms held by Marco Rubio of Florida and JD Vance of Ohio. Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to take control, a significant hurdle given that Republicans can only lose two seats to remain in the majority.

Governor races are also critical, with 36 offices on the ballot. Republicans hold 26 governorships and Democrats hold 24, though the parties are evenly matched with 18 races each in the states currently voting. Democrats are seeking a net gain of two governorships to hold a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have maintained since 2010. Nineteen of these races do not have an incumbent on the ballot due to term limits or strategic choices. In the governor races, Democrats are defending five offices in states that Trump won in 2024, including Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans are defending two offices in states that Kamala Harris won, specifically New Hampshire and Vermont.

The mood among Democratic leaders is one of cautious optimism as they prepare to fight for control. Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stated that the American people are angry and want change. She emphasized the desire for a shift in leadership to address the concerns of the nation. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda that focuses on the cost of living and oversight of the administration. If Democrats win even one chamber, Jeffries would become the first Black speaker of the House, a historic moment that underscores the potential impact of a strong Democratic performance. A victory would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg.

Voters are expressing their frustrations through their ballots, with many citing economic strain as a primary motivator. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, shared his perspective on the current climate. He noted that he is paying more taxes, more for his healthcare, and more for everything in his daily life. His comments reflect a broader sentiment among voters who feel the weight of rising costs. The AP-NORC polling indicates that about seven in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and most blame President Trump for high prices. Only 35% of U.S. adults approve of the president's job performance, while 25% approve of his handling of the economy.

The war in Iran has become a significant issue for voters who are angry over the conflict's popularity. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on the administration's management of both domestic and foreign affairs. Republicans were bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate, with the AP noting that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber. President Trump held dozens of rallies leading up to the election, ending his schedule in Salina, Kansas, where he urged supporters to pretend he was on the ballot. His campaign efforts included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, though many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during the final days of the race.

Money has played a significant role in this election, which is likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An analysis of AdImpact data by the AP shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, emphasizing that if they can turn out their voters, they will win. He noted that this was the strategy they had been planning for throughout the cycle.

Redistricting has added another layer of complexity to the election, with six states using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting. These states include California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, while Ohio also uses a new map. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats, by leveraging these new districts. However, the AP notes that new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as they were drawn. This uncertainty adds to the challenges Democrats face as they seek to overcome the Republican money advantage and the structural obstacles created by redistricting.

Administration of the election has seen some legal challenges that could impact voting. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. These administrative efforts are crucial as more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states.

How to vote today is a priority for many Americans as they head to the polls. You can find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. Poll hours vary by state, so it is important to check the specific times for your area. For example, in Alabama, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while in California, they are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In New York, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, so do not leave if you are in line. ID rules vary by state, so check your state's rules before going to the polls. Stay in line and be prepared to wait if necessary, as your vote is a vital part of this historic election.