--- title: "US opens polling stations for midterm elections: what's at stake and when to expect results" description: "The US opened polling stations for the midterm elections on November 3: Americans are electing all 435 House seats, 35 senators, and governors in 36 states. First results are expected after polls close." date: 2026-11-03T11:46:20.569Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-opens-polling-stations-midterm-elections tags: [us-midterm-elections, us-congress, us-politics, house-of-representatives, us-senate] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US opens polling stations for midterm elections: what's at stake and when to expect results ![Elderly American voter casting a ballot into a wooden ballot box during US elections](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/ssha-promezhu-vybory-kongress-2026/ssha-promezhu-vybory-kongress-2026-1.webp) ## Key Points - The US opened polling stations for midterm congressional elections on November 3, 2026; voting started in Vermont at 5:00 a.m. ET. - Americans are electing all 435 House seats, 35 of 100 Senate seats, and governors in 36 states; over 57 million have already voted early or by mail. - A House majority requires 218 seats; the Senate requires 51 votes for Democrats or 50 for Republicans. - The NYT notes stronger Democratic positioning for the House, while the Senate race remains tight and complex. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the United States opened its first polling stations for the midterm congressional elections. Voting began in Vermont at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time (12:00 Kyiv time), after which stations successively opened in other states. The openings are set to conclude in Alaska and Washington state at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and in Hawaii at noon. ### Scale of Voting In these elections, Americans are electing the entire House of Representatives — all 435 seats — alongside 35 out of 100 Senate seats. In addition to Congress, gubernatorial elections are taking place in 36 states on November 3. At the start of the day, more than 57 million voters had already cast their ballots early or by mail, reflecting high voter turnout in the pre-election cycle. ### The Mathematics of the Majority The outcome of the vote will determine control of Congress. To form a majority in the House of Representatives, a party must secure at least 218 seats. In the Senate, Democrats need 51 votes for a majority, while Republicans only need 50, as the vice president retains the tie-breaking vote in the event of a tie. According to media reports, both chambers are currently controlled by the Republican Party, with Republicans holding four more seats than Democrats in the House. ### Forecasts and Balance of Power Analysts expect a fierce contest for both chambers. The New York Times notes that Democrats are in a stronger position to regain control of the House, while the battle for the Senate remains more complex and less predictable. Experts emphasize that the outcome will determine the balance of political forces for the remaining two years of the presidential term. ### When to Expect Results The first polling stations will close at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (1:00 a.m. Kyiv time on November 4). Initial voting results are expected immediately after the polls close and exit polls are conducted. The outcomes of the midterm elections traditionally impact not only US domestic policy but also its foreign policy course, including Washington's stance on various international issues. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В США открылись участки на выборах в Конгресс: когда ждать первые результаты](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-vidkrilisya-dilnitsi-viborah-kongresu-1793706121.html) - Core source basis: opening time in Vermont 5:00 ET, closing 18:00 ET, 435 House seats, 35 senators, 36 gubernatorial states, 57m early votes, thresholds 218/51/50, NYT assessment. - [В США открылись первые участки на промежуточных выборах: когда ждать результатов голосования](https://nv.ua/world/countries/kak-prohodyat-vybory-v-ssha-i-kogda-rezultaty-golosovanie-nachalos-v-vermonte-50655793.html) - Confirms the date of November 3, the start in Vermont, and the format of the midterm congressional elections. - [Выборы в Конгресс США 3 ноября:](https://www.kp.ru/daily/277829.4/5323612/) - Provides additional context: both chambers are controlled by Republicans, who hold 4 more seats in the House; Republicans need 19 to win the Senate; midterms fall midway through the presidential term. ## FAQ ### What are Americans electing on November 3, 2026? All 435 House of Representatives seats, 35 out of 100 Senate seats, and governors in 36 states. ### When did polling stations open and when will they close? The first stations opened in Vermont at 5:00 a.m. ET (12:00 Kyiv time), and the last close at 6:00 p.m. ET (1:00 a.m. Kyiv time on November 4). ### How many seats are needed for a majority? At least 218 seats in the House; 51 votes for Democrats or 50 for Republicans in the Senate, as the vice president can cast the tie-breaking vote. ### How many Americans have already voted ahead of Election Day? As of the start of the day, more than 57 million voters had cast ballots early or by mail.