U.S. Counts 2026 Midterm Votes in 7 Senate Toss-Ups as House Control May Take 2 Days
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 3
U.S. Counts 2026 Midterm Votes in 7 Senate Toss-Ups as House Control May Take 2 Days
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 3
Summary
Vote counting is underway nationwide in the 2026 midterms, with control of the Senate hinging on seven toss-up races and House results potentially unresolved for a day or two.
Maine and Alaska are among the key battlegrounds expected to count slowly, while the first polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Florida and Iowa counted quickly in 2024, but California and Washington were still below 70% complete a day later, underscoring how widely tabulation speeds vary by state.
Big cities usually count slowest because they process more ballots, a pattern that can create a 'red mirage' when faster-reporting rural counties make early results look more Republican.
Mail voting, bans on pre-election processing, and occasional glitches, runoffs or legal fights have all helped slow final election calls over the past decade.