The story so far
written Nov 3What is happening
Control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives depends on the outcome of today's elections, which will determine the legislative agenda for the next two years 2. Voters are casting ballots on Nov. 3, 2026, for 35 Senate seats 2. Republicans currently hold the majority in the Senate and are defending 22 seats, while Democrats are defending 13 2.
In Alaska, the ranked-choice voting ballot for the Senate includes incumbent Dan Sullivan (R), Mary Peltola (D), Dan J. Sullivan Jr. (R), and Gerald Heikes (R) 2. A Department of Justice grand jury is investigating the entry of the candidate sharing the incumbent's name 2. State and local officials have prepared contingencies for potential technology outages or check-in delays during the voting process 4.
What to watch
State election officials certify the final vote count for each contested race. The formal counting of mail, provisional, and overseas ballots is scheduled to continue for days or weeks after polls close 4.
The House and Senate leadership announce the party control of each chamber. The Clerk of the House swears in the new members. The Senate confirms its new composition and leadership.
Read the full brief · how we got here
How we got here
National election associations reported on Oct. 14 that several state offices received suspicious letters, leading to increased coordination with law enforcement 5. To address staffing needs, election officials recruited members of the American Bar Association to serve as poll workers 6.
Election officials noted on Nov. 2 that results reported on election night are unofficial 4. The Ohio Secretary of State issued a directive on the canvass and certification process for the Nov. 3 general election to ensure uniform procedures 3.
References · 5
- 2whatsonmyballot.info — 2026 Senate Elections: All 35 Races & Which Senators Are Up
- 3ohiosos.gov — PDF DIRECTIVE 2026-48 - Ohio Secretary of State
- 4nass.org — NASS and NASED Issue Joint Statement Ahead of the 2026 General Election
- 5nass.org — NASS and NASED Joint Statement on Suspicious Letters Sent to Election Offices
- 6nass.org — NASS and NASED Recruit ABA Members as Poll Workers Ahead of General Election
What would close this
0 of 4 metTimeline
1newest firstWhen we started following: Polls open for 2026 midterm elections with Senate control at stake
Voters are casting ballots today, Nov. 3, 2026, for 35 U.S. Senate seats that will determine control of the chamber currently held by a Republican majority 2. Republicans are defending 22 seats while Democrats are defending 13 2.
National election associations stated on Nov. 2 that state and local officials have prepared contingencies for potential operational challenges, including technology outages or check-in delays 4. The associations noted that election night results are unofficial and that the formal counting of mail, provisional, and overseas ballots will continue for days or weeks following the close of polls 4.
In Alaska, the ranked-choice voting ballot features incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R), Mary Peltola (D), Dan J. Sullivan Jr. (R), and Gerald Heikes (R) 2. A Department of Justice grand jury investigation into the entry of the name-sharing candidate, Dan J. Sullivan Jr., is ongoing 2. On Oct. 14, election officials reported receiving suspicious letters at several state offices, prompting coordination with law enforcement to maintain facility security 5.