US midterm elections 2026: Key battleground states that may decide Senate, US House of Representatives for Donald Trump, Republican Party, Democratic Party

US midterm elections 2026 campaign between ruling Republican Party and challengers Democratic Party for control of the all important Congress reached its final weekend. There are 35 races in the 100-member Senate that will set the tone for US President Donald Trump's final two years in office. Also up for grabs are all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives. Polling day is scheduled for November 3.

Early voting in midterm elections 2026 has set a record. More than 49 million Americans have already cast ballots, either in person or by mail, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab, up from nearly 46 million who voted before Election Day in the last midterms, in 2022, Reuters reported.

Republicans are defending a 53-47 Senate majority in a midterm election in which the battleground map has expanded significantly, with Democrats hoping to pull off upsets in states that have long favored Republicans.


Battleground States Hold Key

Alaska

The closely contested race in Alaska is seen as crucial for the Democrats if they hope to take control of the Senate from Trump's Republicans in Tuesday's vote. The Department of Justice accelerated its criminal investigation in Alaska on Friday, following reports that aides to a Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola recruited a retired schoolteacher from a remote fishing village to get on the ballot because he has the same name as the Republican incumbent.

The DOJ, acting on a civil lawsuit that President Donald Trump said he instigated, also filed further motions in an attempt to block the state of Alaska from certifying the Senate results if the Republican incumbent, Dan S. Sullivan, loses a close race on a ballot that includes the nonpartisan candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.

Early Voting Surges in Senate Battleground States

South Carolina

In South Carolina, where Trump won by nearly 18 percentage points in 2024, early voting has surged 83 per cent compared with the same point in 2022. The state has open races for governor and U.S. Senate this year.

Kansas

In Kansas, where Republican Senator Roger Marshall faces Democratic Methodist megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton, early voting has increased 34 per cent, with roughly 83,000 more ballots cast than at the same point four years ago.

Maine

In Maine, where Republican Senator Susan Collins faces Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson, early voting is up 44 per cent. Michigan has recorded roughly 409,000 more early votes than at the same point in 2022, a 32 per cent increase.

Michigan

Michigan and Maine, both of which have closely watched Senate races, are also seeing increases. Voters in Michigan approved early in-person voting in November 2022, making this the first midterm election in which it is available statewide.