Why Midterms Matter
What is a Midterm Election?
A midterm election is a general election held two years into a president’s four-year term, exactly halfway through the presidential term. Unlike presidential years, the presidency is not on the ballot.
- The Constitution (Article I) mandates that all members of the House and roughly one-third of Senators face election every two years.
- The Purpose: They serve as a public judgment on the administration’s first two years and determine the president’s ability to pass legislation versus facing gridlock.
Legislative Branch
- The legislative branch is made up of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress.
- All members of Congress are elected by the people to create laws. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members elected to two-year terms, while the Senate has 100 members (two per state) elected to six-year terms.
- Legislative Branch Key Roles:
- 1. Drafting proposed laws
- 2. Confirming or rejecting presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court
- 3. Surveying the budget
- 4. Having the authority to declare war
Voting in the Midterms shapes the makeup of Congress and the legislation it passes.
Midterm Elections 101: The 2026 Cycle
Seats up for Election in November 2026
Of the 435 House seats and 100 Senate seats, the following are being contested:
USHouse: 435 Contested Seats; Every seat in all 50 states is up for election every two years.
USSenate: 35 Contested Seats; Class 2 senators are up (22 Republican-held; 13 Democratic-held). Select Senate seats will also hold special elections.
Other contested races for your consideration include:
Gubernatorial: 36 of 50 states and 3 territories will hold elections for state governor
Local: Additional local races, ballot measures, referendums and/or propositions may be present on your ballot.
-
- New York State (NYS) Details: All 26 House seats are up for reelection, but neither of New York’s Senate seats (held by Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand) is on the ballot this cycle. The NYS governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and comptroller races will also be on this year's ballot, along with NYS Senate (for all 63 districts) and Assembly (all 150 districts).
Why Staggered Elections Matter
The Framers designed the Senate to be a stabilizing counterweight to the House.
- Stability: By only electing one-third of the Senate at a time, the system prevents sudden, radical shifts in policy from altering the government all at once.
- Responsiveness: While the House is highly responsive to the current popular mood, the Senate acts as a more deliberate body.
Impact & The 2026 Stakes
- 2026 Significance: This will be the first national test of the current administration's second term, with control of Congress hanging by slim majorities in both chambers.
- The 250th Anniversary: July 4, 2026, marks the Semi-quincentennial of the U.S., infusing campaigns with themes of American legacy.
Key Dates to Remember
- Primary Elections: Dates vary by state (typically between March and September)
- NYS Details: June 23, 2026
- General Election: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026.
- Voter Registration Deadline: Dates vary by state
- NYS Details: October 24th, 2026