04.11.2026 02:40
In the US midterm elections, which will determine the balance of power in the remaining 2 years of President Donald Trump's term, the first polls have closed and results have begun to come in. As vote counting got underway in 8 states, Democrats won the Senate race in 4 states and the governorship race in 3 states. In Florida, Debbie Wasserman Schultz was re-elected to the House of Representatives. In the US territory of Guam, according to unofficial results, Republicans gained the upper hand in the gubernatorial race and Democrats in the House of Representatives race.
Millions of voters in the US went to the polls for the midterm elections that will determine the political balance in the remaining two years of President Donald Trump's second term. In the elections, in which all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 seats of the 100-member Senate, and the governors of 36 states will be determined, voting procedures have also begun to be completed.
FIRST POLLS CLOSED, RESULTS BEGIN TO ARRIVE
While the start and end times of voting in US midterm elections vary by state, Indiana and Kentucky became the first two states where polls closed and counting began.
The first results also began to arrive from Kentucky. In the state where only 1 percent of votes had been counted, Republican Senate nominee Andy Barr received 69.39 percent of the vote, while Democratic candidate Charles Booker remained at 28.69 percent. The vote share of Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell was 1.65 percent.
While voting continues in other states across the country, polls will continue to close one after another in the coming hours, starting with the eastern states.
Due to the time difference, the last polls are expected to close in Alaska at 01:00 local time (09:00 Turkish time).
ON GUAM, THE GOVERNORSHIP WENT TO THE REPUBLICANS AND THE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT TO THE DEMOCRATS
Unofficial results from Guam, an autonomous territory affiliated with the US, showed that two important political offices on the island will go to different parties. Republicans moved ahead in the gubernatorial race, while Democrats gained the advantage toward winning the delegate seat in the US House of Representatives.
According to unofficial election results reported by Guam Daily Post, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tony Ada and his running mate E. J. Calvo moved ahead by 1,020 votes against their Democratic rivals Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez.
According to data announced by the Guam Election Commission, Ada and Calvo received 15,945 votes, reaching 51.45 percent. Democratic candidates Terlaje and Perez remained at 48.15 percent with 14,925 votes.
In the election held to determine Guam's non-voting delegate in the US House of Representatives, Democratic candidate Alicia Anne Garrido Limtiaco pulled ahead.
Limtiaco, Guam's former attorney general, reached 51 percent with 15,645 votes, while Republican incumbent delegate James Moylan remained at 48.84 percent with 14,983 votes.
In the election, in which 30,677 valid votes were cast, the difference between the two candidates was 662 votes, while 79 overvoted and 658 undervoted ballots were recorded as invalid.
It was stated that the election results in Guam have not yet been finalized and that official results will be announced after approval by the Guam Election Commission.
CURRENT SITUATION IN CONGRESS
In the US, Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate and Democrats 45. Independents, who hold two seats, act with Democrats on many issues. In the 100-seat Senate, 51 members are needed for a majority.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, and independents 1, while 2 seats are vacant. In the 435-seat House, 218 seats are needed for a simple majority. Therefore, for Democrats to gain a majority, they need to win at least 4 more seats in the elections in addition to their current seats.
2026 US MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN NUMBERS
In the United States midterm elections, a broad political cadre ranging from the federal government to state governments is being reshaped.
At the center of the elections is which party will take control of Congress, the US legislative body.
While the Republican Party wants to preserve its majority in Congress during the remaining two years of President Donald Trump's term, the Democratic Party aims to increase its oversight power over the administration by winning a majority in at least one chamber.
- 435: The number of House of Representatives seats up for election.
- 100: The total number of members of the US Senate.
- 35: The Senate seats up for contest in this election.
- 36: The number of states holding gubernatorial elections.
- 50: The total number of US states.
- 2 years: The term length of House of Representatives members.
- 6 years: The term length of senators.
- 4 years: The term length of the US president.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONGRESS, THE SENATE, AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?
Congress, the legislative body in the US, consists of two separate chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives consists of 435 members determined according to the populations of the states. All members are elected by the people every two years.
The Senate consists of 100 members. Each of the 50 US states is represented by two senators, regardless of population.
Since senators serve six-year terms, not all of them are renewed in the same election. About one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years.
In the 2026 elections, two special elections in Florida and Ohio are added to 33 regular Senate races. Thus, votes are cast for a total of 35 Senate seats.
IN THE US, GOVERNORS ARE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE
One important point where US elections differ from Turkey is the governorship system.
In Turkey, governors are appointed by the central government, whereas in the US, state governors take office directly through the votes of the electorate.
In the 2026 midterm elections, gubernatorial races are being held in 36 states.
Governors have important powers in areas such as the state budget, education, public safety, and the enforcement of state laws. Therefore, gubernatorial elections are also closely followed for the country's political future.
Voters can also vote for state legislature members, attorneys general, some judicial officials, and local officials, depending on the state they live in.
WHY IS IT CRITICAL FOR TRUMP?
In midterm elections, the US president is not re-elected. However, the president's political support in Congress can change.
If Trump's Republican Party preserves its majority in both chambers, it may be easier for the administration to advance its legislative agenda.
If Democrats win the House of Representatives, the oversight activities of congressional committees, budget negotiations, and investigations into the administration's policies may gain more importance.
If Democrats also gain a majority in the Senate, it could narrow the Trump administration's room for maneuver, especially regarding senior federal appointments and the confirmation of judicial nominees.
However, a change in the congressional majority in midterm elections does not mean that the president automatically leaves office.
HOW MANY SEATS ARE NEEDED FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN?
Before the election, Republicans hold the majority in the Senate with 53 seats. When the two independent senators who act with Democrats are included, the opposing bloc has 47 seats.
For Democrats to gain a majority in the Senate, they need to win a net four seats.
In the House of Representatives, 218 seats are enough for a majority. Due to Republicans' narrow majority, even a small number of districts changing hands could alter the political balance.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR TURKEY?
Political balances in the US Congress can affect not only the country's domestic policy but also foreign policy decisions.
Congress has significant powers in Turkey–US relations on issues such as the defense industry, sanctions, trade, NATO, the Middle East, and regional security.
In particular, defense budgets, legal processes for arms sales, and sanctions regulations can be affected by political balances in Congress.
For this reason, the 2026 midterm elections are being followed closely not only in the power struggle in Washington but also by countries with close ties to the US, including Turkey.
The central question of the election is clear: Will American voters give Trump's Republican Party the chance to preserve its majority in Congress, or will they leave him facing a different legislative balance in the remaining two years of his presidency?
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