US Midterms 2026 Begin With Early Voting And A Fierce Battle For Congress

Early voting for the 2026 US midterm elections began Friday, September 18, opening the final six week stretch before Americans vote on November 3 to decide control of Congress and the direction of President Donald Trump’s remaining two years in office.

Virginia opened regular in person early voting, while voters in Minnesota and several other states also began casting ballots. Broader early voting will start across the country in the coming weeks. The elections will cover congressional seats, governors and state legislatures, with cost of living, immigration, the Iran war and artificial intelligence among issues shaping the campaign.

The voting begins amid an escalating fight over how US elections are conducted. The Supreme Court this week rejected Trump's attempt to restrict mail in voting, leaving the administration's proposed postal restrictions blocked for the 2026 elections.

Trump's administration has also pursued greater federal involvement in election administration and efforts to identify suspected noncitizen voters. At the same time, civil rights groups have sued the administration over concerns about possible federal law enforcement activity at polling locations. The administration has denied plans to deploy armed agents at polling sites, but differing public statements have intensified the dispute.

Another major factor is congressional redistricting. Texas and several other states have redrawn House districts ahead of the election, affecting millions of voters and adding another layer of uncertainty to races across the country.

Voter mobilisation groups are also reporting serious funding and staffing shortages. Several organisations say the shortfalls could limit registration and turnout efforts, particularly among communities they have traditionally worked with.

Election officials, meanwhile, say they are prepared and confident in the security and accuracy of the vote. Voting rights advocates are encouraging Americans to cast ballots early, while postal officials have urged mail voters to send ballots well ahead of Election Day.