Key Terms for Midterms

Understanding how elections work is an important part of civic engagement. This page introduces the foundational terms behind midterm elections, giving you the tools to engage thoughtfully and make informed decisions.

• Ballot Measures

  In some states, voters can directly approve or reject laws or constitutional amendments. These appear as questions on the ballot and allow the public to vote on specific policy issues.

• Federal Elections

  Federal elections determine who represents the entire country. Voters elect the President and Vice President every four years, and members of Congress: the U.S. Senate (six‑year terms, staggered) and the U.S. House of Representatives (two‑year terms, all seats up every two years). These elections occur nationwide in November of even‑numbered years. Visit our Why Midterms Matter page to learn more about the seats up for election during the 2026 general election.

• General Elections

  General elections decide who actually takes office. These are typically held in November and include candidates from multiple political parties.

• Local Elections

  Local elections have the most direct impact on daily life. Voters choose officials such as mayors, town supervisors, county executives, district attorneys, sheriffs, and city council members. Timing varies by locality, and many occur in odd‑numbered years.

• Midterm Elections

  Midterm elections take place halfway through a presidential term. All U.S. House seats and many U.S. Senate, state, and local offices are on the ballot, making midterms highly influential in shaping policy direction.

• Primary Elections

  Primary elections determine which candidates will represent each political party in the general election.

  NYS Details: New York uses a closed primary system, meaning voters must be registered with a party to participate in that party’s primary.

• Special Elections

  Special elections occur when an elected position becomes vacant before the end of a term due to resignation, removal, or death.

• State Elections

  State elections select leaders within each state. In New York, this includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and members of the State Senate and Assembly. These officials create and enforce state laws. Visit our Why Midterms Matter page to learn more about the state seats up for election during the 2026 general election.

• Absentee/Mail-In Voting

  A method that allows voters to cast a ballot by mail if they cannot or prefer not to vote in person. Rules and eligibility vary by state. Visit Vote.org to learn about the absentee ballot rules, by state.

  NYSDetails: Request a mail-in ballot via the .

• Early Voting

  A period before Election Day when voters can cast ballots in person. Visit to learn about the early voting eligibility and dates, by state.

  NYS Details: New York offers early voting at designated polling sites.

• Voter Registration

  The process of signing up to vote. Requirements and deadlines vary by state, and registration must be completed before participating in most elections. Visit our Voting 101 page to learn more about voter registration.

• Voter Turnout

  The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Midterms typically have lower turnout rates than presidential elections, which increases the impact of each vote. The goal of Stony Brook University's Midterm Matters initiative is to increase student engagement in midterm elections, reaching presidential election-like turnout rates.

• Congressional Committees

  Congressional committees are smaller working groups within the United States Congress. They are made up of members from the House of Representatives and the Senate. Because Congress handles thousands of bills and issues each session, committees divide the workload into specialized subject areas such as defense, healthcare, taxation, agriculture, education, and foreign policy.

  Instead of all 535 members of Congress debating every issue in detail, committees:

  • Research policy areas
  • Draft legislation
  • Hold hearings
  • Conduct investigations
  • Oversee executive branch agencies
    
    
    
    

  Most policymaking happens at the committee level before a bill ever reaches the full House or Senate. Midterms will decide the new makeup of committee members. 

• Down-Ballot Races

  Races that appear lower on the ballot, such as local offices, judges, or school boards. These positions often have a significant influence on community life.

• Gerrymandering

  When district boundaries are drawn in a way that intentionally benefits a political party or group. This term often appears in discussions about fairness and representation.

• Incumbent

  A candidate who currently holds the office they are running for. Incumbents often have perceived advantages such as name recognition and experience, though voters should not bias their decision based on this.

• Redistricting

  The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries every 10 years following the Census. Redistricting affects which voters are represented in each district.