US midterm elections 2026

The Trump administration is pursuing changes to US election rules that critics say are designed to benefit the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections. Le Monde reports the effort as an attempt to reshape voting procedures and districting to the administration's advantage. The moves are drawing scrutiny over their implications for the fairness of the 2026 contests.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive ordering the department to defend the 2026 midterm elections from foreign threats. The move puts the Pentagon formally behind election security preparations ahead of next year's vote. The announcement was published by the department and is drawing attention to how the military will be involved in countering foreign interference.

Observers warn the days between the US midterms and final vote counts — the so-called 'counting window' — could be exploited by Donald Trump to cast doubt on results he dislikes, echoing his 2020 election fraud claims. The Guardian's First Thing briefing highlights the delayed-count period as the most vulnerable moment for baseless fraud allegations to spread and for officials to face pressure over certification.

Pete Hegseth, serving as Secretary of War in the Trump administration, has signed a directive tasking the Pentagon with defending the 2026 US midterm elections from foreign threats. The move puts the military formally into an election-security role, an area traditionally led by civilian agencies, and is likely to spark debate over the appropriate scope of the Defence Department's domestic involvement.

Attention is turning to the 2026 US midterm elections, with coverage focused on how the results could reshape Donald Trump's power in his second term and determine control of Congress. All 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate are up for grabs, and the outcome could either cement Republican control or hand Democrats a check on the president's agenda.

News outlets are publishing early polling and coverage for the 2026 US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. With all 435 House seats and about a third of Senate seats on the ballot, trackers are following candidate announcements, primary contests and approval ratings for President Trump and congressional leaders as the campaign season takes shape.

Guardian columnist Moira Donegan argues that abortion, once a dominant political issue after the overturning of Roe v Wade, has notably receded from America's national debate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Despite ongoing Republican pushes for abortion bans, the topic is drawing less attention than in recent years, raising questions about shifting voter priorities and Democratic strategy.

Pollster Frank Luntz says voters are angry as he outlines which coalitions of voters could decide the 2026 US midterm elections. His analysis points to shifting allegiances among key voting blocs that both parties will need to watch as campaigns ramp up.

Commentary is weighing how the 2026 US midterm elections could reshape American foreign policy. The argument centers on whether congressional control changing hands would constrain or redirect the administration's approach to issues like Ukraine, the Middle East, trade and alliances, or whether foreign policy will remain largely in the executive's hands regardless of the election outcome.

ABC7 Chicago has published a guide to the 2026 US midterm elections for voters in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, covering when Election Day falls, how to register to vote, early voting periods, and polling place information. The explainer aims to help residents across the three states prepare for the November contests.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive aimed at defending the 2026 midterm elections from foreign threats. The announcement, published by the Department of War, is drawing attention in the United States and abroad, with the story trending in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Observers are weighing what role the Pentagon will play in election security and how the directive will be implemented ahead of the vote.

New Jersey's House race for the 2026 US midterm elections is drawing attention in election coverage. Early focus is on which parties and candidates will contest the state's congressional seats, with New Jersey seen as a potential battleground in the battle for control of the House of Representatives.

New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District race is drawing early attention ahead of the 2026 US House of Representatives elections. The swing district in southern New Mexico has historically been competitive, and coverage of the upcoming contest is building as candidates and voters look toward the midterm cycle.

Attention is turning to which US states will hold trifecta control, where one party governs both the governorship and the state legislature, ahead of the 2026 elections. Gubernatorial and legislative contests in key states could shift party control and reshape policymaking on issues from budgets to elections in dozens of states.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has published an analysis of the terrorism threat facing the 2026 US midterm elections, drawing on data to assess risks around the vote. The report weighs patterns in extremist activity and what they suggest about potential violence targeting candidates, officials, or the electoral process itself.

Brinker Harding is running for Congress in the 2026 elections, discussing his campaign and policy priorities in a televised interview with Nebraska broadcaster KETV as part of its Commitment 2026 coverage. The appearance outlines his candidacy for a US House seat, with viewers weighing in on his platform ahead of the midterm cycle.

The ACLU has published a question-and-answer explainer detailing how it is working to safeguard the 2026 US midterm elections. The piece addresses voting rights concerns and the organization's preparations for the vote. It is being shared among people following elections and voting rights discussions ahead of the midterms.

Education news outlet EdNC has published a guide for voters preparing for the 2026 general election, laying out what people need to know before casting a ballot. The piece covers the basics voters should check ahead of election day, such as registration and voting logistics. It adds to a growing stream of early coverage as the next US midterm election cycle approaches.

A call is going out for voters to press candidates in the 2026 US midterm elections on where they stand on public health. The appeal, published by The Hill, urges constituents to make health policy a campaign issue by directly asking candidates about their positions on immunisation, disease prevention and public health funding.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered military intelligence agencies to prioritize identifying and countering foreign threats aimed at the 2026 US midterm elections. The directive shifts intelligence resources toward election security, framing foreign interference as a defense priority. The move is drawing attention because it expands the military's role in election-related matters ahead of the midterms.

The US Defense Department has issued a new security directive aimed at protecting American voting systems ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Pentagon is working with state election officials to shield critical election infrastructure from foreign cyber threats. The initiative is being discussed as part of broader national defense reporting on election security.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has published voter resources ahead of the 2026 General Election in the United States. The material, shared via the Archdiocese of Miami, is aimed at helping Catholic voters navigate registration, candidate information, and church guidance on civic participation as the midterm election cycle approaches.