Senate Races 2026: 35 Seats and Two Special Elections

While the House gets attention for its size, the Senate often decides the biggest questions in Washington, from judicial nominations to treaties. In 2026, 35 of its 100 seats are on the ballot.

Why only some seats are up

Senators serve six-year terms, and the terms are staggered so that roughly one-third of the chamber is elected every two years. This design was meant to give the Senate stability. In 2026, 33 seats follow the regular schedule, and two more are special elections held to fill seats that became vacant mid-term.

One of those special elections is in Florida. It was triggered after Marco Rubio left the Senate to become US Secretary of State.

Current balance

Republicans hold the majority, reported as 53 seats to 47 for the Democratic side at the start of Election Day. A party needs 51 seats for a clear majority. In a 50-50 chamber, the vice president can cast the tie-breaking vote, so control can come down to a single seat.

What the Senate controls

• Confirmation of cabinet members, federal judges and Supreme Court justices.
• Ratification of treaties.
• Trial of impeached officials.
• Its own rules, which affect how easily legislation can pass.

Why the map matters

Senate races are statewide, so campaigns focus on a small group of competitive states where the outcome is uncertain. Candidate quality, local issues and turnout can matter as much as national trends. Many contests were already shaped by primaries held between March and September.

Watching the count

Because several races may be close, the final Senate picture may not be clear on election night. Runoffs, recounts or slow mail-ballot counts can delay calls in some states.

We will report results as they are confirmed by reliable sources, rather than relying on early projections alone.