Election Day is here, with control of Congress, key governorships and closely watched statewide races all on the line. Follow along for live 2026 midterm election results, race calls, vote-count updates and the biggest developments from across the country as polls close Tuesday night.
2026 Midterm Election Live Updates: Senate and House Races Results
9:06 P.M. ET: Lance Bottoms win Georgia governor race
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is projected to defeat Republican Rick Jackson to become the first black person and female elected governor of Georgia. Democrats also won races for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general.
9:00 P.M. ET: Polls close in 10 more states
At 9:00 p.m. ET, polls closed in the following states: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
8:46 P.M. ET: Donalds, Moody Win in Florida
Despite a closer race than expected, former Republican Rep. Byron Donalds is projected to defeat his Democratic opponent, former Rep. David Jolly. Meanwhile, Republican Ashley Moody is projected to win another tight race, this time in the Senate, over Democrat Angie Nixon.
8:30 P.M. ET: Polls Close in Arkansas; Cooper Wins North Carolina Senate election
Polls have closed in Arkansas. Meanwhile, former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has defeated Republican Michael Whatley in the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.
8:15 P.M. ET: Shapiro, Pritzker Win Reelection in Pennsylvania and Illinois
Democratic Governors Josh Shapiro and JB Pritzker have won reelection in Pennsylvania and Illinois, NBC News reports.
8:00 P.M. ET: Polls continue to close across the country
Polls have closed in the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Florida and New Hampshire.
7:38 P.M. ET: Polls close in three more states
Polls have closed in three more states: Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia.
7:29 P.M. ET: Jon Ossoff projected to win in Georgia
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is projected to win re-election in his race in Georgia over Mike Collins. Ossoff was first elected to the Senate in January 2021 and at the time was the youngest member of the chamber and the first senator born in the 1980s.
7 P.M. ET: Polls begin to close; Warner projected to win in Virginia
Polls have begun to close in several states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia, as well as parts of New Hampshire and Florida. Meanwhile, immediately after the polls closed Sen. Mark Warner is already the projected winner of his re-election bid in Virginia.
6:30 P.M. ET: Here are the tightest Senate and House races to watch in the 2026 Midterm Elections
Michigan Senate: Abdul El-Sayed (D) vs. Mike Rogers (R)
Michigan is an open-seat race following Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ decision not to seek reelection. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative, in one of the cycle’s most closely watched contests.
Texas Senate: James Talarico (D) vs. Ken Paxton (R)
Texas is one of the cycle’s biggest surprises. Democrat James Talarico is trying to flip a Republican-held seat, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking to replace Sen. John Cornyn after defeating the incumbent in the GOP primary.
Ohio Senate: Sherrod Brown (D) vs. Jon Husted (R)
Ohio’s special election pits former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown against Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat in 2025. The winner will serve the final two years of the term that previously belonged to Vice President J.D. Vance.
Maine Senate: Susan Collins (R) vs. Troy Jackson (D)
Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking another term against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate. Maine is a key opportunity for Democrats because it is a Republican-held seat in a state that has recently backed Democrats in presidential races.
New York’s 17th District: Cait Conley (D) vs. Mike Lawler (R)
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is seeking reelection in a closely divided Hudson Valley district. Democrat Cait Conley is challenging Lawler in a race that could be pivotal in the battle for the House majority.
Michigan’s 7th District: William Lawrence (D) vs. Tom Barrett (R)
Republican Rep. Tom Barrett is defending a competitive mid-Michigan seat against Democrat William Lawrence. Both parties have targeted the district, making it one of Michigan’s most closely watched House contests.
2026 U.S. Midterm Elections FAQ
How many seats are in the U.S. Senate?
There are 100 seats in the U.S. Senate — two for each state. Senators serve six-year terms, but the full chamber is not elected at once. Instead, roughly one-third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.
In 2026, voters will decide 35 Senate races:
- 33 regularly scheduled elections
- Two special elections, in Ohio and Florida
- 22 Republican-held seats being defended
- 13 Democratic-held seats being defended
Entering Tuesday’s Election Day, Republicans had a 53-47 edge, with the two independents caucusing with Democrats.
How many seats are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
There are 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, apportioned among the states by population. Representatives serve two-year terms, and unlike the Senate, the entire chamber is elected at once rather than in staggered classes.
In 2026, voters will decide all 435 House races:
- 218 seats needed for a majority
- 218 Republican-held seats being defended
- 214 Democratic-held seats being defended
- One independent-held seat and two vacancies entering Election Day
- Five of the six non-voting delegate seats also on the ballot
Entering Tuesday’s Election Day, Republicans had a 218-214 edge. The two vacancies are Florida’s 20th district, left open by the April 2026 resignation of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Texas’ 23rd, vacated by Tony Gonzales the same month.
Who is the current Speaker of the House?
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) became the became the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on October 25, 2023, and succeeded Rep Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Who is the current Senate Majority Leader?
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) became the Senate Majority Leader when the 119th Congress began in 2025 and succeed Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).