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Midterm elections 2026: 1 week until high-stakes elections

Voters will head to the poll for the midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: October 27, 2026, 10:03 AM EDT

There is just one week until the high-stakes midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

There are several key House and Senate races that could determine the balance of power in Congress as well as significant races for governor around the country. The elections could ultimately determine how effective President Donald Trump's agenda is in the back half of his second term.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
1 hour and 24 minutes ago

Trump heads to Texas again for 2 rallies

President Donald Trump on Tuesday makes his fourth campaign season (since Labor Day) trip to Texas where he is set to hold two rallies in the state as he and Republicans make their closing arguments in battleground races.

With just one week before Election Day, Trump will attend rallies in Lubbock and Corpus Christi.

All eyes are on the Texas Senate race as Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico remain locked in a neck-and-neck contest. Paxton confirmed he will attend and plans to deliver remarks at both rallies. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who is in a toss-up race in the 15th Congressional District against Tejano musician Bobby Pulido, said she will also be in attendance.

Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looks on as U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a campaign rally at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, October 13, 2026 in Tyler, Texas.
Pool/Getty Images

Talarico will also speak at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, according to a campaign advisory.

Democrat candidate for US Senate James Talarico speaks to supporters during his "Clear Eyes Full Hearts" campaign tour at the Hilton University of Houston in Houston, Texas, October 21, 2026.
Cecile Clocheret/AFP via Getty Images

More than 20% of registered voters in Texas have voted early.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie, Diana Paulsen and Emily Chang

1 hour and 31 minutes ago

Election cycle of 2025-2026 now most expensive ever: AdImpact

The 2025-2026 election cycle has become the most expensive cycle on record, according to media tracking firm AdImpact.

As of Monday night, there has been $11.21 billion in ad spending and reservations in the 2025-2026 cycle, the firm said.

According to AdImpact, that is now more than the $11.20 billion spent for the full 2023-2024 election cycle.

A person casts their ballots at St. Mary's Episcopal Church during the first day of early voting in Los Angeles, October 24, 2026.
Chris Torres/EPA/Shutterstock

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim

1 hour and 36 minutes ago

These key Senate races will determine which party controls the body next year

Thirty-five Senate seats are up for grabs when Americans head to the polls on Nov. 3. A key handful of them will be critical in determining whether Democrats or Republicans control the chamber next year.

As both parties prepare for the final leg of the campaign, there are closely watched Senate races in Michigan, Texas, Alaska and several other states.

Read more about the match-ups.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

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