Key Races Set to Decide Control of Congress in 2026 Midterms

The 2026 midterm election for the U.S. House of Representatives is set for November 3, marking a pivotal moment in American politics as voters head to the polls to decide the balance of power in Congress and the direction of President Trump’s agenda ¹².

NPR has highlighted 70 specific House districts as key battlegrounds, where both parties are pouring resources into advertising efforts. Each side is reported to have spent more than $100,000 on ads in these critical areas in the final days leading up to the election, underscoring their significance in determining which party will hold sway in the House ¹.

In addition to the House races, the midterm elections will also feature contests for 35 Senate seats and gubernatorial positions in 39 states. This comprehensive voting schedule ensures that the outcomes will have far-reaching implications for policy-making and governance in the United States ².

As the election day approaches, CBS News has announced plans to provide extensive live coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on November 3rd. The network’s lineup includes well-known personalities such as Tony Dokoupil and Norah O’Donnell, alongside other prominent figures like Gayle King and Margaret Brennan, ensuring comprehensive and engaging reporting from multiple perspectives ².

Polling stations will vary in closing times across different states, with the earliest closings at 7 p.m. ET and the latest in Alaska at 1 a.m. ET, creating a dynamic timeline for results to come in throughout the night ².

Local CBS stations will also play a significant role, offering live coverage in 15 major markets to capture the local flavor and voter sentiment in these key areas ².

What we know

• - The 2026 midterm election for the U.S. House of Representatives is set for November 3 ¹²
• - NPR has identified 70 House districts as key races in the 2026 midterm elections ¹
• - Both Democrats and Republicans are each spending over $100,000 on advertising in these 70 key House districts ¹
• - The midterm elections will determine control of Congress and the future of President Trump's agenda ²
• - Voters will choose all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats ²
• - CBS News will provide live coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on November 3rd ²
• - Polls in different states will close at varying times, with the earliest at 7 p.m. ET and the latest in Alaska at 1 a.m. ET ²
• - Local CBS stations will offer live coverage in 15 markets ²