Voters across the United States went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress, numerous governorships and state legislatures, and a slate of ballot measures at stake^1,6,10,22.

State newsrooms described the day as the close of months of campaigning, with polling hours that vary by state, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Virginia to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Idaho and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Delaware and Michigan^4,5,10,22.

Early voting already accounted for a large share of ballots in several states. Michigan's Department of State reported more than 2.3 million ballots cast by midafternoon Monday, including more than 743,000 in-person early votes and more than 1.5 million returned absentee ballots¹⁰. Virginia recorded more than 1.6 million early ballots through Saturday, above the 2022 midterm early total, according to a tracker cited by Virginia Mercury²². West Virginia turnout had already surpassed the comparable figure from four years earlier, The Herald-Dispatch reported²³.

In New York, voters choose a governor, statewide officers, members of Congress and the Legislature¹¹. New York Focus said the House race in the 17th District between Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Cait Conley is viewed as a toss-up, while a North Country contest to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik has tightened, and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul faces Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman¹¹.

Virginia ballots include a U.S. Senate race between Democratic Sen. Mark Warner and Republican Bert Mizusawa, all 11 House seats, and three proposed constitutional amendments on reproductive rights, marriage and voting eligibility after a felony conviction²². Ohio stations listed a governor's race, a U.S. Senate contest and Issue 3 among items on statewide ballots^14,15. Idaho voters decide all statewide offices, three congressional seats, 105 legislative seats and Proposition 1, which would end the state's abortion ban, the Idaho Capital Sun reported⁵.

Maryland coverage highlighted statewide, federal and local races plus referendums^3,8. Texas ballots run from the governor's race through the State Board of Education²¹. Tennessee voters decide governor, Senate, House and legislative races²⁰. Louisiana reporting tied local contests to national control of Congress⁶.

Michigan Advance reported that Justice Department election monitors were expected in several Michigan cities and that advocates distinguished those observers from armed federal agents at polling places, which they said is not allowed¹⁰. Andrew Walchuk of Common Cause said, "Federal law for 150 years has forbidden federal agents, armed agents, from being at the polls"¹⁰.

Results will not be official on election night. Idaho officials do not begin counting until polls close statewide, and unofficial returns can take hours for local races⁵. Virginia results remain unofficial until provisional and late absentee ballots are reviewed, with certification due by Dec. 7²². Michigan canvassers must certify no later than the 14th day after the election¹⁰. What remains unknown is which party will control each chamber of Congress and how close statewide races will be once counting is complete^1,6,11.