US midterm elections 2026: What they are, why they matter and when results will be out

US midterms voting to be conducted on November 3 The US midterm elections are nationwide elections held every two years, halfway through a president's four-year term. This year's elections will take place on November 3 with voters choosing members of Congress as well as several state and local officials.Unlike presidential elections, midterms do not decide who occupies the White House. Instead, they determine which party controls Congress for the next two years, making them a crucial test of President Donald Trump's political standing and his ability to push through his agenda.What are the US midterm elections?The US Congress has two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and midterm elections determine the composition of both. All 435 seats in the House are contested every two years, as members serve two-year terms.In the Senate, where members serve six-year terms, roughly one-third of the 100 seats come up for election every two years. This time, 35 Senate seats, including two special-election contests, are at stake. Alongside congressional races, voters in several states will also elect governors and other state and local officials.What is at stake in the 2026 mi...