Everything You Need to Know About the Midterm Elections
What are midterms, why do they matter, and what exactly you should expect.
Updated: October 25, 2026
2026 is a big year. And not just because of the Olympics! 2026 is a midterm election year, and every vote counts! In a recent civic engagement poll, many young people said they planned to take part in the upcoming elections. However, a portion still didn’t realize there was an election this year, which shows why midterms need more buzz and attention.
While critical to our democracy, midterm elections often don’t receive all the buzz and media attention that surrounds a presidential election. This guide equips you with the tools and resources needed to strengthen your civic engagement muscle in 2026.
What are midterm elections?
Great question! As the name implies, midterms happen in the middle. Midterms, or midterm elections, take place two years into a President’s four-year term.
We are in the midst of the midterm primary election season. Primary elections — which take place in the spring and summer leading up to general elections — determine which candidates will represent each political party on the ballot. These primary elections begin as early as March 3, 2026 and run through late summer and early fall, with dates varying by state.
The general election during the midterm cycle is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November: this year on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
What are the voter registration deadlines?
Alabama
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day
Alaska
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Arizona
☑ Oct 5 - 29 days before Election Day
Arkansas
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
California
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Colorado
☑ Oct 26 - 8 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Connecticut
☑ Oct 27 - 7 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
Delaware
☑ Oct 10 - 24 days before Election Day
Florida
☑ Oct 5 - 29 days before Election Day
Georgia
☑ Oct 5 - 29 days before Election Day
Hawaii
☑ Oct 24 - 10 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Idaho
☑ Oct 23 - 11 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
Illinois
☑ Oct 6 - 28 days before Election Day (☑ Oct 18 online - 16 days before)
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day (locations vary by county)
Indiana
☑ Oct 5 - 29 days before Election Day
Iowa
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day (mail postmarked 15 days before)
Same-day registration: In-person absentee voting & Election Day
Kansas
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Kentucky
☑ Oct 5 - 29 days before Election Day
Louisiana
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day (☑ Oct 14 online - 20 days before)
Maine
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
Maryland
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Massachusetts
☑ Oct 24 - 10 days before Election Day
Michigan
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Minnesota
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Mississippi
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Missouri
☑ Oct 7 - 27 days before Election Day
Montana
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Late registration continues through noon the day before Election Day.
Nebraska
☑ Oct 23 - 11 days before Election Day if registering in person (☑ Oct 16 online or by mail - 18 days before)
Nevada
☑ Oct 6 - 28 days before Election Day in person (☑ Oct 29 online - 5 days before)
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
New Hampshire
☑ 6 to 13 days before Election Day, depending on local supervisors of the checklist
The deadline is set town by town — check with your town or city clerk.
Same-day registration: Election Day
New Jersey
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
New Mexico
☑ Oct 6 - 28 days before Election Day
Same-day registration runs from 28 days out through the Saturday before Election Day; Election Day registration covers statewide contests.
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
New York
☑ Oct 24 - 10 days before Election Day
North Carolina
☑ Oct 9 - 25 days before Election Day
Same-day registration is available during early voting only — NOT on Election Day.
Same-day registration: Early voting only
North Dakota
North Dakota has no voter registration
Bring valid ID showing a North Dakota residential address to vote.
Ohio
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Oklahoma
☑ Oct 9 - 25 days before Election Day
Oregon
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Pennsylvania
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day
Rhode Island
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
South Carolina
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
South Dakota
☑ Oct 19 - 15 days before Election Day
Tennessee
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Texas
☑ Oct 4 - 30 days before Election Day
Utah
☑ Oct 23 - 11 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Vermont
No advance deadline — register through Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
Virginia
☑ Oct 23 - 11 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Early voting & Election Day
Washington
☑ Oct 26 - 8 days before Election Day for online and mail registration
In-person registration stays open through 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Same-day registration: Election Day
West Virginia
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Wisconsin
☑ Oct 14 - 20 days before Election Day if registering online or by mail (in person through the Friday before Election Day)
Same-day registration: Election Day
Wyoming
☑ Oct 20 - 14 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
District of Columbia
☑ Oct 13 - 21 days before Election Day
Same-day registration: Election Day
The Voter Catalyst Network
Sign up to be a Voter Catalyst to help register and mobilize others in your community to vote, and join a nationwide community of DoSomething members shaping what our country looks like next. You’ll earn volunteer credits and a signed certificate.
Who and what is on the ballot?
Midterm elections are crucial for electing representatives for Congress, as well as state and local governments.
Congress is composed of two bodies: the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 senators; the House has 435 representatives. Senators serve six-year terms and representatives serve two-year terms.
In 2026:
All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election.
35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election (33 regular Class II seats plus 2 special elections).
State governors, attorneys general, and many legislative seats are also on ballots in many states — about 39 gubernatorial elections including 36 states and 3 territories.
So in addition to Congress, many statewide and local offices and ballot measures will vary by location.
Why do midterms matter?
We get it. Midterm elections don’t feel as “flashy” as presidential elections. But trust us — they are just as important. Midterm elections allow citizens to vote on the issues and leaders that matter most. By using your vote during a midterm election, you can help shape the makeup of Congress and state governments, influencing policies and budgets for years to come.
The results can change which party controls the House and Senate, which affects which bills become laws and how federal agencies operate. Midterms also often influence state policy on things like education, health care, and voting rules.
How do you prepare for midterm elections?
↪ Register to vote
If you haven’t already, now is the time to register. Check your registration status and register before your state’s deadline — many are in October 2026, but some states allow same-day registration.
↪ Make a voting plan
Decide whether you’ll vote in person, by mail, or during early voting (which in many states begins in mid-October 2026).
If voting by mail, request and return your absentee ballot with time to spare.
Locate your polling place and know what identification you may need.
↪ Know what’s on your ballot
Before casting a vote, research your races and ballot measures. Look up candidates’ platforms, watch debates or forums, and review nonpartisan voter guides to understand who and what you’re voting on.
The general election for the 2026 midterms will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Check your state election website for the specific date where you live.
Why your voice matters.
Using your vote during the midterm elections means you help choose officials who represent your views on issues like student debt, climate change, reproductive rights, and more. Midterms set the stage for how the next two years of governance will unfold — and they help shape the political landscape going into the next presidential election.
Let’s Do This!
As we approach the 2026 midterms, keep this in mind: Every voice — and every vote — matters. And together, our votes have the collective power to demand that our democracy works for all!
What are you waiting for? Get out there and stretch that civic muscle!
GET INVOLVED
Take action to make a difference in your community today