When are the midterms 2026? Who's winning in midterm elections polling

The upcoming 2026 midterm elections will mirror public sentiment on President Donald Trump's agenda when voters decide the Congressional makeup for the next two years. Here's what it means and who's winning the midterms in the polls right now.

Republicans have a tight grip on the government: Trump in the executive office, both chambers of Congress - House and Senate in a GOP majority; mostly Republican governors across the country; and a conservative majority in the Supreme Court. However, in the 2026 midterm elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats will be on the ballot as will 39 gubernatorial seats.

The midterms are general elections held at the midpoint of a president's four-year term — also viewed as a referendum on the president and/or current Congress's job approval and policies, while the ongoing primary races will determine who runs in those November midterm elections.

Trump's presidential job approval rating has been in steady decline since the government shutdown in the fall and has since hit his all-time lowest numbers in the polls this term, amid the Iran war and rising prices.

If Democrats could take control of either the House or Senate in this year's midterms elections, it would loosen Trump's control of his agenda and stall Republican efforts.

A Democratic win in both chambers would all but freeze the Trump administration's agenda for the next two years.

Here's what to know about the 2026 midterm election predictions and list of primary dates by state.

When are the midterms? 2026 Midterm elections

The midterm elections are Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Who is winning the midterms? 2026 midterm elections predictions, odds

According to the latest RealClearPolling' generic Congressional voting polls, 48.2% said they'd vote Democrat, 42.9% said they'd vote Republican.

In the Polymarket betting odds on who will win the 2026 midterms, 39% favor a balance of power with a Republican win for the Senate and Democratic win for the House. Currently, the Republican party controls both the Senate and the House.

• 86% favor a Democratic Party win for the House in midterms 2026
• 51% favor a Democratic Party win for the Senate in midterms 2026
• 49% favor a Democratic sweep of the House and Senate in midterms 2026
• 13% favor a Republican sweep of the House and Senate in midterms 2026

The Kalshi market predictions on midterm election wins favor a Democratic sweep by 45% over a split congress with 39% odds.

• 86% favor a Democratic Party win for the House in midterms 2026
• 52% favor a Republican Party win for the Senate in the midterms 2026

Note: Polls and odds are constantly changing. These numbers reflect polling and odds as of noon Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

When is my primary election date? 2026 Primary elections dates by state

Primary elections are on different dates for most states, starting March 3 and running through Sept. 15. Here are the primary elections dates by state:

• Alabama May 19
• Alaska August 18
• Arizona July 21
• Arkansas March 3
• California June 2
• Colorado June 30
• Connecticut August 11
• Delaware September 15
• District of Columbia June 16
• Florida August 18
• Georgia May 19
• Guam August 1
• Hawaii August 8
• Idaho May 19
• Illinois March 17
• Indiana May 5
• Iowa June 2
• Kansas August 4
• Kentucky May 19
• Louisiana May 16
• Maine June 9
• Maryland June 23
• Massachusetts September 1
• Michigan August 4
• Minnesota August 11
• Mississippi March 10
• Missouri August 4
• Montana June 2
• Nebraska May 12
• Nevada June 9
• New Hampshire September 8
• New Jersey June 2
• New Mexico June 2
• New York June 23
• North Carolina March 3
• North Dakota June 9
• Ohio May 5
• Oklahoma June 16
• Oregon May 19
• Pennsylvania May 19
• Rhode Island September 8
• South Carolina June 9
• South Dakota June 2
• Tennessee August 6
• Texas March 3
• Utah June 23
• Vermont August 11
• Virgin Islands August 1
• Virginia August 4
• Washington August 4
• West Virginia May 12
• Wisconsin August 11
• Wyoming August 18

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at [email protected].