On November 3, 2026, voters across the country will weigh in on all House seats along with a substantial portion of Senate positions during the midterm cycle. Governor-level races are part of a ballot that has grown notably crowded this election cycle. Retirements, bids for other offices, and contested races taking shape nationwide mean the electoral calendar holds a range of developments ahead of polls opening.
Departures from the chamber by nine sitting senators ahead of 2026 will leave a string of contests with no incumbent on the ballot. Kentucky stands as one of the states where the electoral map will shift most noticeably, given that Sen. Mitch McConnell — who holds the record for the longest tenure as a Senate party leader — is stepping away after four decades in office. Of the four Republicans stepping away from their seats, McConnell's vacancy has drawn six candidates from within the party alongside eight from the Democratic side.
Tuberville, who holds Alabama's Senate seat, has announced plans to step down and seek the state's governorship. Two sitting senators — Blackburn of Tennessee and Bennet of Colorado — have each stepped away from their chamber posts to mount campaigns for their respective state governorships.
That Iowa Senate seat will go uncontested by an incumbent, with Ernst having announced her departure from the chamber. On the Republican side, Rep. Ashley Hinson holds her party's uncontested backing, whereas the Democratic field has drawn three contenders — state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, and military veteran Nathan Sage — all pursuing their party's nomination.
A Senate seat in North Carolina is now uncontested following Sen. Thom Tillis's decision not to seek another term. On the Democratic side, former governor Roy Cooper has entered the contest, while the Republican field features Michael Whatley, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, alongside Michele Morrow.
Two contested Senate seats are drawing attention in Ohio, where Sherrod Brown — who previously held the position — faces incumbent Jon Husted, and in Georgia, where Jon Ossoff pursues a second term as the state's Democratic senator. A Democratic nominee will eventually be set to run against Collins, the Republican senator from Maine, once that party completes its selection process. Cornyn, who holds a Texas Senate seat, faces a Republican primary field that includes Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt before his reelection bid can advance.
A Senate seat in Michigan sits open after Gary Peters, who held it as a Democrat, opted not to seek another term. Among those vying for the seat are Republican former congressman Mike Rogers alongside a Democratic field that includes Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow.
Every one of the 435 seats making up the full House membership will appear on the November 3 ballot. Retirements, party switches, and contested primaries have put a handful of districts under close observation. Vasquez, the Democratic incumbent holding New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District seat, has drawn a challenge from Republican Greg Cunningham.
In Arizona's 6th District, a three-way contest pits incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani against Democratic challengers JoAnna Mendoza and Chris Donat, drawing attention from observers tracking competitive House races. A primary contest on the Republican side has drawn a challenger against Rep. Gabe Evans in Colorado's 8th District. On the Republican side, Adam DeRito has joined the contest, with five Democrats vying to secure their party's nomination.
A handful of House contests across Michigan are also drawing attention. In District 7, Tom Barrett — a Republican incumbent — is running for re-election against a field that includes seven candidates on the Democratic primary ballot. Rep. John James has announced a gubernatorial bid, leaving the District 10 seat without an incumbent heading into the next election. Huizenga, the Republican incumbent holding District 4's House seat, has entered the race for another term. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Sean McCann joined three other candidates in submitting paperwork for the party's primary contest.
Of the 18 House members stepping away from their seats — Nancy Pelosi among them — 11 have shifted focus toward gubernatorial contests. On November 3, ballots will carry contests spanning all House seats, a range of Senate positions, and gubernatorial races spread across the country, placing candidates at multiple tiers of government before the electorate.
