2026 US Elections: A Comprehensive Calendar for Midterms and Beyond
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The United States political calendar for 2026 is now firmly defined, promising an intense electoral year that will reshape the balance of power in Congress and across state governments. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters will head to the polls in what is poised to be a pivotal moment for American politics, determining control of key federal and state positions.
A Nation at the Polls: Key Dates and Races
The upcoming midterm elections will once again put control of Congress into play, with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats up for grabs. Beyond the federal level, a substantial portion of state governments will see dozens of key positions renewed on the same day. According to schedules compiled by Ballotpedia and 270 to Win, the electorate will define the political landscape for years to come.
Gubernatorial Races Take Center Stage
Gubernatorial elections will command significant attention throughout the year, with contests scheduled in 36 states and three territories. This large number includes key districts and a significant number of administrations that will be impacted by term limits. Governors elected in 2022 will face reelection challenges, with the exceptions of New Hampshire and Vermont, where gubernatorial terms are two years and elections were last held in 2024.
Here’s a snapshot of the gubernatorial landscape as of November 2026:
- Alabama: Kay Ivey, completing her third term, is ineligible for reelection due to term limits.
- Alaska: Mike Dunleavy, finishing his second term, cannot seek another.
- Arizona: Katie Hobbs, in her first term, is eligible to run for reelection.
- Arkansas: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, also in her first term, is eligible to compete.
- California: Gavin Newsom, serving his second term, is term-limited.
- Colorado: Jared Polis, completing his second cycle, is prevented from seeking reelection.
- Connecticut: Ned Lamont, in his second term, can run again.
- Florida: Ron DeSantis, finishing his second term, is ineligible for reelection.
- Georgia: Brian Kemp, ending his second term, is term-limited.
- Hawaii: Josh Green, in his first term, may seek continuity.
- Idaho: Brad Little, in his second term, can run again.
- Illinois: JB Pritzker, governing his second term, has the option of reelection.
- Iowa: Kim Reynolds, in her third term, has announced she will not seek to continue.
- Kansas: Laura Kelly, completing her second term, is term-limited.
- Maine: Janet Mills, reaching the end of her second cycle, cannot perform.
- Maryland: Wes Moore, in his first term, can run for reelection.
- Massachusetts: Maura Healey, in her first term, is cleared to compete.
- Michigan: Gretchen Whitmer, finishing her second term, is ineligible for reelection.
- Minnesota: Tim Walz, in his second period, will be seeking a third term.
- Nebraska: Jim Pillen, having governed since 2023, may seek a new term.
- Nevada: Joe Lombardo, serving his first term, can run again.
- New Hampshire: Kelly Ayotte, starting her first cycle in 2025, is qualified to compete.
- New Mexico: Michelle Lujan Grisham, concluding her second term, is term-limited.
- New York: Kathy Hochul will seek a new term.
- Ohio: Mike DeWine, ending his second term, cannot compete again.
- Oklahoma: Kevin Stitt, completing his second term, is term-limited.
- Oregon: Tina Kotek, in her first term, can run for reelection.
- Pennsylvania: Josh Shapiro, in his first term, can compete again.
- Rhode Island: Daniel McKee, governing his second cycle, can seek continuity.
- South Carolina: Henry McMaster, serving his third term, is term-limited.
- South Dakota: Larry Rhoden began his first term in January 2025, succeeding Kristi Noem.
- Tennessee: Bill Lee, ending his second term, cannot continue.
- Texas: Greg Abbott, in his third term, can run again.
- Vermont: Phil Scott, governing his fifth term, is qualified to compete.
- Wisconsin: Tony Evers has announced he will not seek reelection.
- Wyoming: Mark Gordon, serving his second term, cannot run again.
Congressional Battles: House and Senate
The House of Representatives will undergo a complete renovation on November 3, 2026, with all 435 seats contested, one for each electoral district. Additionally, five of the six non-voting delegates representing the District of Columbia and inhabited territories will be elected. These representatives will serve in the 120th United States Congress, with seats allocated based on the 2020 national census and updated district maps. Special elections may also occur throughout the year to fill any vacancies.
The Senate will also be heavily involved, with 33 regular seats contested, corresponding to senators of Class 2 whose terms began in 2021 and extend for six years. Those elected will take office on January 3, 2027, and serve until January 2033. States renewing their senators include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Two special elections will bring the total Senate contests to 35. Ohio will elect a senator to fill the remaining two years of the term vacated by JD Vance after his appointment as Vice President, while Florida will hold a special election to complete the term of Marco Rubio, who resigned in 2025 after being appointed Secretary of State. This cycle will also mark a historic shift, as it will be the first since 2006 without Mitch McConnell leading the Senate Republicans, following his announced retirement.
Primaries: The Road to November
Before November 3, each state will conduct its own candidate selection process through primaries, taking place between March and August 2026. Texas will kick off the primary season on March 3, with a potential runoff on May 26, alongside North Carolina and other southern states. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of primary dates:
- Alabama: May 19, 2026 (runoff June 16, 2026, if applicable).
- Alaska: August 18, 2026 (no runoff).
- Arizona: August 4, 2026 (no runoff).
- Arkansas: March 3, 2026 (runoff March 31, 2026, if applicable).
- California: June 2, 2026 (no runoff; top-two system).
- Colorado: June 30, 2026 (no runoff).
- Connecticut: August 11, 2026 (no runoff).
- Florida: August 18, 2026 (no runoff).
- Georgia: May 19, 2026 (runoff June 16, 2026, if applicable).
- Hawaii: August 8, 2026 (no runoff).
- Idaho: May 19, 2026 (no runoff).
- Illinois: March 17, 2026 (no runoff).
- Iowa: June 2, 2026 (no runoff).
- Kansas: August 4, 2026 (no runoff).
- Maine: June 9, 2026 (no runoff).
- Maryland: June 23, 2026 (no runoff).
- Massachusetts: September 1, 2026 (no runoff).
- Michigan: August 4, 2026 (no runoff).
- Minnesota: August 11, 2026 (no runoff).
- Nebraska: May 12, 2026 (no runoff).
- Nevada: June 9, 2026 (no runoff).
- New Hampshire: September 8, 2026 (no runoff).
- New Mexico: June 2, 2026 (no runoff).
- New York: June 23, 2026 (no runoff).
- Ohio: March 3, 2026 (no runoff).
- Oklahoma: June 23, 2026 (runoff August 25, 2026, if applicable).
- Oregon: May 19, 2026 (no runoff).
- Pennsylvania: April 21, 2026 (no runoff).
- Rhode Island: September 1, 2026 (no runoff).
- South Carolina: June 9, 2026 (runoff June 23, 2026, if applicable).
- South Dakota: June 2, 2026 (runoff June 16, 2026, if applicable).
- Tennessee: August 6, 2026 (no runoff).
- Texas: March 3, 2026 (runoff May 26, 2026, if applicable).
- Vermont: August 11, 2026 (no runoff).
- Wisconsin: August 11, 2026 (no runoff).
- Wyoming: August 18, 2026 (no runoff).
The 2026 elections promise a complex and dynamic political landscape, with significant implications for the future of the United States.
