There are also vacancies, along with one independent who caucuses with Republicans. US Midterm Elections 2026: The midterm elections in the United States are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026. The elections will determine control of Congress, with voters choosing all 435 voting members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 members of the Senate. In the House, a party needs 218 seats to secure a majority and control of the chamber. At present, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, while Democrats hold 214 seats.
The number of seats Democrats would need to win to take control will depend on how many of the current vacancies are filled and which party wins them. Federal elections in the US are not limited to Election Day. States administer their own election systems, and rules governing voter registration, candidate qualification, primary elections, and voting methods can vary. In many states, political parties hold primary elections to select their candidates for the general election. Several states also offer early voting, absentee voting or voting by mail, although the eligibility requirements and procedures differ.
In a full 435-seat House, a party needs at least 218 seats for a majority.
