When Will We Know the US Midterm Results? - BBC News
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When will we know the US midterms results?
By Deirdre Finnerty and Bernd Debusmann Jr
Millions of Americans are voting in midterm elections that could reshape the balance of power in Washington. The outcome will determine which party - US President Donald Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats - controls Congress.
Here's what you need to know:
When will we know the results and who controls Congress?
Congress consists of two parts:
- The House of Representatives: A majority requires 218 seats.
- The Senate: A party needs 51 seats for a majority. The vice-president has a tie-breaking vote, giving their party control.
First results will start to come in after 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT). Safe bet races in Kentucky and Indiana will be among the first to report.
Throughout the night, BBC analysts will focus on competitive races, which will indicate Trump's performance.
Key contests in the Eastern Time zone (starting at 19:30 EST (00:30 GMT) in Ohio and 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT) in Maine) could provide early insights.
US media outlets may "call" races early using models, but this can be delayed in tight contests.
The overall timing depends on race tightness and decisiveness.
When did we know the results in 2022?
In 2022, the race remained tight until several days after the election.
- CBS News projected Republicans winning the House on 17 November.
- Counting in Nevada took four days, with Democrats retaining control of the Senate.
- Georgia's Senate contest required a December run-off.
What are the key races to watch in 2026?
Seven Senate races are considered toss-ups, six currently held by Republicans and one by Democrats. Democrats need to win four of these plus four more to gain control.