American voters went to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect members of Congress, governors, state legislators, and other public officials. The results will help determine the direction of federal and state policy over the coming years.
The Associated Press and Reuters report that Democrats have won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The outcome changes the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of President Donald Trump's current term.
But a national election is not one result. Individual contests, ballot measures, and state-level changes have their own implications. Some vote totals and administrative processes may continue after election night.
This report brings together the major developments, explains their context, and connects readers with more detailed MFNC coverage.
The Results: What We Know
The 2026 midterms included elections for all 435 voting seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 U.S. Senate seats, and 36 governorships.
U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats have secured control of the House, according to the Associated Press. That majority will affect the legislative agenda, committee leadership, oversight, and the relationship between Congress and the White House.
House elections are decided by congressional district. National seat totals describe control of the chamber, but they do not replace the results of individual district contests.
U.S. Senate
Democrats have also won control of the Senate, according to election reporting from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Senators serve staggered six-year terms, meaning only a portion of the chamber is elected in each cycle. The Senate's composition influences legislation, executive nominations, and judicial confirmations.
Governor Elections
Voters in 36 states also had gubernatorial elections scheduled for 2026. These races determine leadership of state executive branches and can shape state budgets, administration, and policy implementation.
MFNC is developing state-by-state coverage and profiles of candidates involved in these contests. Each race will be documented separately rather than assigning a single national interpretation to every result.
The Context Behind the Vote
Midterm elections take place halfway through a presidential term. They provide voters with an opportunity to change representation in Congress without electing a president.
The 2026 campaign unfolded amid debate over the cost of living, the economy, federal spending, immigration, foreign policy, and the scope of presidential power.
Associated Press reporting identified high prices, the war in Iran, and concerns about government corruption among issues shaping the election. These concerns did not necessarily influence every voter or every state in the same way.
Understanding the results requires examining individual contests, turnout, candidate positions, local conditions, and the information available about voter priorities. A national result alone cannot establish why each voter made a particular choice.
What Voters Decided Beyond Congress
Congressional control attracts national attention, but state and local elections can have equally direct consequences for public services and daily life.
State legislative elections affect lawmaking on education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and public safety. Ballot measures can also allow voters to decide specific policy questions directly.
MFNC will examine these decisions individually, distinguishing the language of each proposal from campaign claims about its likely effects.
State-by-State Political Coverage
Our initial gubernatorial reporting focuses on nine states. These profiles provide background on people involved in the 2026 election cycle, including their political careers and public records.
The people listed below are subjects of MFNC's coverage, not a complete list of candidates or election winners.
California
Xavier BecerraFlorida
Byron DonaldsGeorgia
Keisha Lance BottomsMinnesota
Amy KlobucharNew Mexico
Deb HaalandOhio
Amy ActonTennessee
Marsha BlackburnTexas
Gina HinojosaWisconsin
David CrowleyWhat Comes Next?
The New Congress
The next Congress begins in January 2027. Its membership and leadership will influence legislative priorities, oversight, government funding, and negotiations with the executive branch.
Control of Congress does not guarantee that a party's proposals become law. Legislation generally must pass both chambers and receive presidential approval, unless Congress overrides a veto.
State Leadership Transitions
Newly elected governors and state lawmakers will prepare for transitions according to their states' constitutional and statutory schedules.
Their early decisions may include appointments, budget proposals, administrative priorities, and legislative agendas.
Finalizing Election Results
Election-night reporting is not the same as official certification. State and local election authorities conduct canvasses and other required procedures before results become final.
MFNC will distinguish reported vote totals, projected winners, and certified outcomes as additional information becomes available.
How MFNC Reports Election Results
MFNC aims to make election coverage understandable, traceable, and transparent. Our reporting distinguishes established facts from projections, allegations, analysis, and opinion.
For individual races, we prioritize official election records and clearly identified reporting organizations. Sources are evaluated in relation to the specific claim they support.
Election information can change as votes are counted and certified. Corrections and substantive updates should be dated and explained.
The news. With receipts.