US midterms: polls show Democrats ahead as millions cast early ballots
The gist
Democrats lead the generic congressional ballot by 8 points, 52% to 44%, among likely voters.
Control of Congress is at stake, with all 435 House seats contested.
How it unfolded
- Sep 18, 2026First day of in-person voting for the midterms, with voters casting ballots in Henrico County, Virginia.
- Oct 9, 2026Vice President JD Vance traveled to Ohio to cast his early ballot and campaign for local Republican candidates.
- Oct 26, 2026Al Jazeera publishes maps and charts explaining the midterms: all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats contested, plus governor races in 36 states.