Voters weigh high costs and war in key Senate races across the South and Midwest
From Texas to Minnesota, candidates in ten pivotal states face a electorate focused on economic strain and the President's second term.
By Isabella Melnyk ·
It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and voters are heading to the polls in a midterm contest that will determine the balance of power in Congress. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term, with many citizens struggling with high prices and expressing anger over an unpopular war with Iran. According to Ballotpedia, 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs, including 33 regular elections and two special elections. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with the Democrats. To secure a majority, Democrats need a net gain of four seats, whereas Republicans can afford to lose only two seats.
In Texas, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The race is for an open seat formerly held by Sen. John Cornyn. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is running against Democrat James Talarico. The Associated Press notes that Trump backed Paxton over Cornyn in the primary. The state voted for Trump by 13.6 points in 2024. The Associated Press also identifies the Texas governor race as competitive, featuring incumbent Greg Abbott. This race is part of a broader Southern focus where six states, including Texas, are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting.
In North Carolina, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Senate race features Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. Sen. Thom Tillis retired from the seat, a decision the AP links to a clash with Trump. The state voted for Trump by 3.3 points in 2024. Voter James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, told the AP, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything." This sentiment reflects the economic concerns highlighted in AP-NORC polling, where about 7 in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction.
In Georgia, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, is defending his seat against Republican Rep. Mike Collins. The state voted for Trump by 2.2 points in 2024. Race ratings from Cook, Decision Desk, Inside Elections, and Sabato describe the race as leaning to likely Democratic. The Associated Press notes that the governor race in Georgia is also a battleground, with Republican health care executive Rick Jackson facing Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to succeed Brian Kemp. Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades.
In Ohio, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The race is for the rest of the term of JD Vance, who was elected in 2022. Republican Sen. Jon Husted is running against Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown. The state voted for Trump by 11.2 points in 2024. The Associated Press highlights that Ohio is also using a new congressional map. The governor race features Republican Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy's campaign faced backlash over an ad featuring Acton's estranged mother. The AP calls the Ohio governor race competitive.
In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The race is for an open seat following the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters. Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. On Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers. The state voted for Trump by 1.4 points in 2024. Race ratings describe the contest as toss-up to lean Democratic. The Associated Press notes that Democrats defend five governorships in states Trump won in 2024, including Michigan. The governor race in Michigan is listed as a battleground by Ballotpedia.
In Texas and the surrounding South Central region, the atmosphere is charged by the President's recent campaign stops. Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he said, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the President's false claims about voting fraud. The Trump administration has continued to make these claims, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. A federal judge on Monday temporarily barred the administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting.
In Maine, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, is running against Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The state voted for Harris by 6.9 points in 2024. The Associated Press says economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive. Race ratings describe the contest as a toss-up on all four major trackers. The governor race in Maine is not listed as a battleground by Ballotpedia, but the state is a key focus for Senate control. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip the chamber in either direction.
In New Hampshire, polls open by 11 a.m. and close no earlier than 7 p.m. The race is for the seat of retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is running against former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu. The state voted for Harris by 2.8 points in 2024. The governor race features incumbent Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, in a state where Democrats defend two governorships in states Harris won. The AP notes that the New Hampshire governor race is a battleground. The state's unique poll hours reflect its local control over election administration.
