Democrats need a net gain of four seats to hold a majority. The two Independents currently caucus with Democrats.
Official Senate division ↗Midterms
2026.
The fight for Congress, the forces moving voters, and the money shaping the field—explained without the campaign noise.
What control requires.
This is the starting line—not a forecast. Vacancies and party affiliation can change before Election Day.
Every House seat is elected in November. Two seats are currently vacant; Daymark will update the chamber count after official changes.
Senate figures reflect the 119th Congress. House figures show the official opening division alongside the Clerk’s current vacancy record; they are presented separately to avoid implying that the opening count is today’s exact membership.
The races to understand.
A selective Daymark watchlist—not an endorsement, prediction, or exhaustive ballot.
Selection reflects open seats, recent margins, reported spending and national significance. Daymark does not copy another outlet’s ratings, and inclusion does not mean a race is equally competitive.
The campaign is changing.
A dated stream of developments that alter how the election should be understood.
Follow consequences, not slogans.
Daymark connects the campaign to the questions voters will live with after Election Day.
Cost of living
What national polling measures—and what candidates can actually affect.
Open the briefing ↗ 02 · World & homeIran & energy
How a war abroad reaches fuel prices, inflation and American households.
Read the explainer ↗ 03 · WorkAI & hiring
What the changing entry-level market could mean for young workers.
Examine the evidence ↗ 04 · PowerMoney & influence
Trace candidate receipts, outside spending and the groups shaping 2026.
Open Influence Ledger ↗The road to November.
National milestones only. Registration, early-voting and ballot-return deadlines are state-specific.
New Hampshire primary
Nominees are chosen for the state’s open Senate seat and 1st Congressional District.
Registration and early voting
Dates and identification rules vary. Confirm them with your state or local election office.
Federal general election
All 435 House seats and roughly one-third of the Senate are on the ballot.
Canvass and certification
State and local authorities count, canvass and certify results on their own schedules.
The Federal Election Commission identifies November 3 as the next federal general election and notes that state authorities maintain official results and voting information.
Your vote begins with your address.
Daymark can explain the stakes. Your election office is the authority on your registration, ballot, polling place, identification requirements and deadlines.
Sources, standards & update recordRead our method
What this page is
A manually maintained guide to the national midterm landscape. It is not a polling average, a model, a forecast, or a live-results service.
How the watchlist works
Daymark selects races using open-seat status, recent margins, reported spending and national consequence. A race can be important without being equally competitive.
Primary sources
September 8, 2026 — Added the North Carolina race file, return-visit changes, Watching Now and data-driven race and development records. New Hampshire remains labeled pre-results until Daymark verifies race-called or official outcomes.