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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.

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.
2 hours and 28 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

2 hours and 33 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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