2026 elections

News outlets are publishing early coverage of the 2026 United States midterm elections, with a focus on polls for Congress and key races. The coverage signals the start of sustained political attention ahead of the contests that will determine control of the House and Senate during the second half of President Trump's term.

Attention is turning to the 2026 US midterm elections, with analysts assessing which party is best positioned to win control of Congress. Coverage focuses on early polling, competitive Senate and House races, and the political landscape heading into the vote. With control of both chambers potentially at stake, the midterms are shaping up as a key test for both major parties.

A new Quaest survey on the 2026 Brazilian presidential election is drawing attention as voters and commentators track early polling ahead of next year's vote. Outlets such as Metrópoles are also noting when the final presidential polls before the first round must be released. The race remains a central topic in Brazilian politics, with names like Lula and Tarcísio de Freitas frequently cited.

US election observers are flagging the period between Election Day and the certification of results as a vulnerable window for misinformation, warning that Donald Trump could use delays in counting ballots to cast doubt on the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections. The Guardian's First Thing briefing highlights concerns that slow tallies in key states could be exploited to spread unfounded fraud claims, as happened after the 2020 election.

The New York Times has published an analysis asking which party is winning the race for control of Congress, dated September 28, 2026. The piece arrives weeks before the November midterm elections, when all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are at stake. No further details from the article are available beyond its framing as an assessment of the parties' chances.

A Thai court has dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the general election scheduled for 2026, removing a potential legal obstacle to the vote going ahead. The ruling means the election timetable stands as planned, though the specific grounds for the dismissal and details of who filed the petition were not immediately available.

Voting Rights Lab has released a Battleground Report examining how voting rules have changed across key states since the 2022 midterms. The report compiles shifts in election legislation ahead of the 2026 contests, covering changes to registration, mail voting and related procedures in battleground states. It is being cited in discussions about how the 2026 midterm landscape may differ from past elections.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive tasking the department with defending the 2026 midterm elections from foreign threats. The move puts the military's leadership publicly at the centre of election-security planning, an area traditionally handled by civilian agencies, and is drawing attention to how far the Pentagon's remit will extend.

Early results are emerging from Morocco's 2026 elections, with preliminary tallies revealing which parties and candidates are leading and which are falling behind. Outlets are publishing running updates as counting continues, and observers are watching closely to see which established forces hold their ground and which newcomers make gains.

Attention is on the latest BTG Nexus presidential polling in Brazil after Quaest's CEO said Lula has again crossed the 50% probability threshold for reelection. The comment, reported by Metrópoles, has fueled discussion about the president's political recovery and how the race for the next presidential election is shaping up.

Maryland's 2026 gubernatorial election is drawing early attention, with a voter's guide published to help residents understand the race, key candidates, and how to participate. The guide covers registration deadlines, voting options, and what is at stake as both parties look ahead to selecting the state's next governor.

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.

The voter registration deadline for the 2026 General Election is October 5, meaning voters must be registered by that date to take part. Local outlets are reminding residents to check their registration status and update details like address or party affiliation before the cutoff.

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.

Attention is turning to the race for New York's 12th Congressional District ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with fresh polling coverage tracking how potential candidates stand. The district, anchored in Syracuse and central New York, is being watched as campaigns and voters look for early signals about the contest's direction. Specific poll numbers have not yet been widely reported, but interest in the seat is clearly building.

North Carolina Senator Ted Budd completed a trip across the state, where he discussed his views on Iran, artificial intelligence and the coming midterm elections with constituents and local media. The tour gave the Republican first-term senator a chance to gauge voter sentiment on national security and emerging technology issues heading into the 2026 election cycle.

Attention is turning to Chicago's 2026 elections, with local reporting laying out what voters in the city need to know ahead of the vote. Coverage is focused on helping residents understand the races, registration requirements, key dates and how to participate as the election cycle approaches.

Republicans are framing their legislative agenda around the 2026 midterm elections, with coverage linking the party's major bill to its electoral prospects. Discussion centers on whether the legislation will help or hurt the party's chances of holding congressional seats, as both sides prepare for a contest that will shape the second half of Donald Trump's term.

Duval County, Florida has begun sending out 34,198 vote-by-mail ballots for the 2026 general election. Officials say the mailing covers voters with valid requests on file. The move marks an early step in election preparations and is drawing local attention to mail voting procedures.

Attention is turning to the 2026 Chicago school board elections, with coverage examining how incumbent board members voted on key issues during their terms. As Chicago's elected school board era continues, voters and education watchers are scrutinizing incumbents' records ahead of the next round of elections, focusing on their positions on major district decisions.

Ohio voters are being pointed to a guide for the 2026 general election, laying out what will be on the ballot, polling information and other voting details. The guide is intended to help residents prepare ahead of Election Day, covering key races, ballot measures and how to find polling locations across the state.

The Dallas Morning News has published its recommendations for the 2026 Dallas bond election, which will ask voters to decide on the city's proposed bond package. The newspaper's editorial board outlined which propositions it believes residents should support when they head to the polls. With the election drawing near, voters are looking to endorsements to help navigate the multi-part bond agenda.

Vermont Public has published the full results of its 2026 poll, offering an early look at voter sentiment in the state ahead of the 2026 election cycle. The release gives residents, campaigns and analysts fresh data on where Vermont voters stand on candidates and key issues as the race begins to take shape.