Here's a simple guide to how midterm elections work in the US

Key points

• US voters will go to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide which party controls Congress. All 435 House seats and one-third of the Senate are up for election.
• Republicans currently control both chambers, and losing even one would make it harder for President Donald Trump to pass laws and budgets. Trump's approval rating, around 37 per cent, is expected to influence the result, as presidents' parties typically lose House seats at midterms.
• Results may come in on Wednesday, November 4, Australian time, though close races could take days to call.