59 million votes cast as midterms enter final day

More than 59 million Americans have cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, a figure that represents nearly half of the total votes recorded in the previous cycle. With polling places closing across the country, the focus shifts from early voting advantages to the final in-person turnout that will determine control of Congress.

Democrats currently hold a double-digit advantage based on available early voting data. However, the House race hinges on whether Republicans can mobilize enough in-person voters today. Democrats need to flip only three seats to take control of the chamber, a threshold that has become more attainable as the election cycle progressed. Republicans attempted to protect their seats through rare mid-decade redistricting, but analysts suggest these changes may not be sufficient to maintain their majority.

The Senate contest presents a more complex picture. Democrats require four net seat flips to gain control, a scenario that seemed unlikely at the start of the cycle. Strong Democratic candidates and a challenging national environment for Republicans have made this outcome possible. Currently, Democrats are favored to take North Carolina. Beyond that, the remaining races are tight, with Republicans holding slight favorites in most states.

The five key toss-up Senate seats held by Republicans are located in states that Donald Trump won by double-digit margins in 2024, excluding Maine. This geography has driven Trump to campaign heavily in red states ahead of Election Day to boost Republican base turnout. Michigan has emerged as a top target for Republicans. If they retain that seat, the mathematical calculus for Democrats in the Senate changes significantly.

High Republican turnout could limit Democrats to a single seat pickup. Conversely, low Republican participation could lead to a loss of six or seven seats, handing Democrats control of the chamber. Results will begin arriving at 6 p.m. Eastern Time from Kentucky and Indiana. Given the expectation of many close races, some outcomes may take days or weeks to finalize as states complete their vote counts.