What are mid-term elections? How to vote in these polls on November 3rd? Can overseas Americans participate? Explained | Today’s news

The United States will hold the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, during which voters will decide the makeup of Congress and several state governments. The election will determine which political party will control the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for the next two years, influencing the legislative agenda during the second half of President Donald Trump’s term.

Unlike presidential elections, polls do not determine who will occupy the White House. Instead, they are held midway through a president’s four-year term and allow voters to elect representatives to Congress, governors, and other state and local officials.

Here’s what voters need to know about the Nov. 3 election, how to cast their ballot, and whether Americans living overseas can participate.

What are US midterm elections?

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

It is a national election held halfway through the president’s four-year term. On November 3, 2026, voters will elect members of Congress and decide several state and local contests.

All 435 seats in the House and 35 seats in the Senate are being contested. The election also includes gubernatorial races in 36 states, along with state legislative and local contests.

Eligible citizens must register according to their state’s rules; Vote.gov directs voters to their state or territory’s registration system. Check your registration, polling place, voting hours, ID requirements and voting dates with your local election office.

Yes. US citizens abroad can use the Federal Post Card Application to register with their state election office to request an absentee ballot. Return methods and deadlines vary from state to state, so voters should check their state’s guidelines and file early.

The results will determine which party will control the House and Senate for the next two years. This balance can affect the president’s ability to push legislation and shape congressional oversight of the administration.

Mid-term elections are national elections held every four years, between two presidential elections. They determine the composition of the US Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

According to the official US government website, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are contested during each midterm election. House members serve two-year terms and represent individual congressional districts.

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Senators, meanwhile, serve six-year terms, with their seats divided into staggered election cycles. According to Al Jazeera, 35 seats in the Senate are up for grabs in 2026, including two special elections.

The Nov. 3 polls will also include gubernatorial elections in 36 states, along with contests for state legislatures and local offices. Voters in some states will also decide on ballot initiatives and referenda.

How to vote in the November 3 US election?

Eligible US citizens must be registered to vote, in accordance with their state’s rules. There is no single nationwide registration deadline, and requirements vary from state to state.

According to USAGov, voters can begin the registration process through Vote.gov, which will direct them to their respective state or territory’s registration system. Depending on local rules, registration may be completed online, by mail, or in person.

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Those who have already registered should check their voter registration status, polling place and voting hours before heading to the polls. The US Government’s polling place locator directs voters to their state or local election offices to request this information.

On election day, voters must usually visit their assigned polling station. Identification requirements also vary by state, with many jurisdictions requiring voters to present an accepted form of identification.

Americans who cannot vote in person may have options such as early or absentee voting and mail-in voting, depending on their state’s rules. USAGov advises voters to check whether their ballot must be postmarked or delivered to the election office by a certain date.

The US does not allow online voting in federal elections. Voters must cast their vote at an authorized polling station or through an approved absentee ballot.

Can Americans living abroad vote?

Yes. US citizens living outside the country can participate in federal elections, including the Nov. 3 midterm polls, by absentee ballot. This includes Americans working or studying abroad and those who have moved to another country.

According to the US State Department, overseas voters can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register with their state election office and request an absentee ballot in one step.

The application is available through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). After processing the application, the relevant election office will send the ballot electronically or by mail, depending on the state’s procedure.

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Americans overseas may return completed ballots by international mail, by authorized electronic method if permitted, or by other options available under their state’s rules. Some U.S. embassies and consulates can also help forward election-related mail to local election officials.

However, voters should check their state’s instructions carefully, as methods and deadlines for returning ballots vary. While most eligible overseas citizens can vote in federal elections, participation in state and local contests depends on applicable state laws.

The U.S. State Department recommends submitting the FPCA early to allow enough time for registration, ballot delivery, and returns. Overseas voters can consult FVAP.gov for state-specific instructions and assistance.