03.11.2026 22:10
As midterm election excitement continues in the US, millions of voters are casting ballots to deliver their assessment of Donald Trump's second term at the ballot box. In the race that will determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives and the Senate, eyes have turned to critical states such as Ohio, Texas, and Michigan, as well as California and New York. With the cost of living and the Iran war as the main agenda items, the results are expected to directly shape the Trump administration's political roadmap for the next two years.
As millions of voters head to the polls in the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, it is a matter of curiosity which party will retain the majority in Congress. In the elections, in which more than 57 million people voted early, races are taking place for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the Senate, and governorships in 36 states. Critical races in Ohio, Texas, Michigan, California, and New York are among the closely watched headlines of election night. Polls are expected to close and the first results to begin coming in from midnight Türkiye time.
The midterm elections, held in the US at the midpoint of President Donald Trump's second term, constitute an important test that will determine the country's political balance. Voters are making their choices not only for majorities in both chambers of Congress but also for state administrations.
According to information reported by the Associated Press (AP), voters are casting ballots for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, and gubernatorial seats in 36 states. Republicans currently hold the majority in both chambers of Congress.
MORE THAN 57 MILLION PEOPLE VOTED EARLY According to a CBS News report based on data from the University of Florida's Election Lab, more than 57 million Americans voted early before Election Day.
On Election Day, malfunctions in vote-counting machines, weather conditions, and transportation problems to polling places came to the fore in some areas. While problems were experienced with machines reading ballots in Westchester County, New York, more than 20 polling places in Florida were relocated due to floods and flooding.
DEMOCRATS NEED 4 SEATS TO TAKE THE SENATE One of the most important battlegrounds of the election was the Senate. While Republicans hold the majority with 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, Democrats and the independent senators who act with them have a total of 47 seats.
For Democrats to gain a majority in the Senate, they need to win a net four seats. Races in states such as Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas are important for the future of the Senate.
IN OHIO, SHERROD BROWN WANTS TO RETURN TO THE SENATE In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown is running to win back the Senate seat he lost in the 2024 elections. Brown's opponent is Republican Jon Husted, who was appointed to the post after Vice President JD Vance left the Senate.
According to Reuters, the Senate race in Ohio became one of the highest-spending contests of the election period. While spending by independent political groups supporting the candidates approached $400 million, Brown raised $68 million for his campaign, and Husted raised $20 million.
In the race, the cost of living, the Iran war, and economic problems are among the issues on voters' minds. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton are also facing off for governor.
DEMOCRATS' HISTORIC GOAL IN TEXAS In Texas, where Republicans are strong, Democrat James Talarico is running for the Senate seat against Republican Ken Paxton. Talarico's victory would be Democrats' first statewide election victory in the state since 1994.
According to Reuters, Republicans allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to support Paxton's campaign. It was reported that Elon Musk also made large expenditures to support Republican candidates.
Talarico, meanwhile, surpassed Paxton in campaign fundraising. In polls published by Reuters before the election, Talarico appeared to be 2 to 8 points ahead of his opponent. However, these measurements do not mean the election result.
POSSIBILITY OF MICHIGAN'S FIRST MUSLIM SENATOR In Michigan, the Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers is also drawing national attention.
If 42-year-old El-Sayed is elected, it is possible that he will become the first Muslim senator in US history. El-Sayed, a physician and public health expert, was the target of political attacks throughout the campaign due to his Muslim identity and statements about Israeli policies.
Abdul El-Sayed Republican candidate Rogers criticized El-Sayed's stance on foreign policy and Gaza, while the Democratic candidate focused on issues such as the cost of living and health care. Reuters evaluated the Michigan race as one of the key contests in which Republicans aim to win a Senate seat held by Democrats.
CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE: BECERRA AND HILTON FACE OFF In California, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are competing for the governor's seat. In the campaigns of the candidates seeking to replace term-limited Gavin Newsom, the cost of living, the housing problem, fuel prices, and the Donald Trump administration became prominent issues.
Gavin Newsom Former US Health Secretary Becerra gave the message of protecting California's liberal policies, while former British political adviser and Fox News host Hilton criticized the state's long-standing Democratic administrations. Hilton made promises such as lowering housing and education costs and abolishing the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Xavier Becerra According to an Associated Press report, if Becerra is elected, it is possible that he will become California's first Latino governor in more than a century. Hilton's victory, on the other hand, would be noteworthy in terms of electing a governor of immigrant origin in the state's history.
IN NEW YORK, HOCHUL SEEKS REELECTION In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul is running for reelection against Republican Bruce Blakeman. Among the prominent issues of the campaign are the cost of living, taxes, housing, and public services.
Kathy Hochul In the New York elections, in addition to the gubernatorial race, House of Representatives seats are also being followed.
In particular, Democrats' effort to win seats in some districts held by Republicans is significant for the majority calculation in Congress.
218-SEAT CALCULATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the 435-member House of Representatives, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats 212. Two seats are also vacant. Reaching 218 seats is required to gain a majority in the House.
Democrats need to win at least three net seats to control the House of Representatives. The race in the lower chamber of Congress is also expected to be decisive for the political balance across the country.
A POLITICAL TEST FOR TRUMP'S SECOND TERM The midterm elections will reveal voters' assessment of Trump's administration in the second term of his presidency. While Democrats highlighted the cost of living, Trump's public support and the Iran war in their campaigns, Republicans focused on social and cultural issues.
According to AP, total spending on election campaigns is expected to exceed $11.9 billion. Thus, the 2026 midterm elections stand out as the most expensive midterm election process in US history.
1,000 ELECTION OBSERVERS ASSIGNED The US Department of Justice assigned approximately 1,000 observers in 50 states across the country to monitor election security. The department described the effort as the most extensive election monitoring activity in its history.
Debates also arose during the election process over whether the federal government was interfering in states' election practices. While some attempts were halted by courts, legal battles took place especially over the validity of mail-in ballots and voter registration records.
WHEN WILL POLLS CLOSE IN THE US? Voting hours in the US vary by state. Polls will begin to close in key states after midnight Turkey time.
03:30: Polls will close in Ohio.
04:00: Voting will end in Michigan and most of Texas.
05:00: Polls will close in New York. The last polling places in Michigan and Texas will also close at this time.
07:00: Polls will close in California.
According to AP's election calendar, vote counting in Ohio has progressed relatively quickly in previous elections, while results in Michigan may become clear later. Because a significant portion of mail-in ballots in California are not counted on election night, races in the state can take days to be finalized.
The last polls in Alaska will close around 08:00 Turkey time. Due to the ranked-choice voting system and mail-in ballots, the final result of the state's Senate race is reported to possibly extend until November 18.
The election results will determine whether Republicans can maintain their majority in Congress and the political room for maneuver of the Trump administration over the next two years.
.