American voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in high-stakes midterm elections that will determine the remainder of President Donald Trump’s second term. With both chambers of Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—currently under Republican control, the midterms serve as a crucial referendum on the administration's legislative agenda, economic management, and foreign policy.

Historically, midterm elections prove punishing for incumbent presidents. President Trump’s approval ratings have slid from over 50% at the start of his term to approximately 37%, heavily impacted by soaring inflation, cost-of-living crises, and voter backlash over the military conflict with Iran earlier this year, which drove fuel prices up to $4 per gallon. This low approval rating has given Democrats renewed optimism about reclaiming the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority of 218 seats out of 435. According to The Cook Political Report, only 18 House seats are classified as pure toss-ups (14 currently held by Republicans, 4 by Democrats).