When will we know who won the US midterms?
BBC News explores the timing of the US midterm election results and what to expect.
Millions of Americans are voting in these midterm elections, which could significantly impact President Donald Trump's presidency, determining which party controls Congress.
Understanding the Results
- House of Representatives: A party needs 218 seats to secure a majority.
- Senate: 51 seats are required for control. The vice-president's tie-breaking vote can decide this chamber in a 50-50 split.
First results are expected after 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT). Initial counts will likely come from safe Republican or Democratic seats, offering little insight into the overall outcome.
Key Contests and Projections:
- Throughout the night, BBC analysts will focus on competitive races, especially in the Eastern Time zone (like Ohio and Maine), for early indications.
- US media outlets may "call" races early using models, but projections in tight states could be delayed.
2022 Midterm Results: A Retrospect
In 2022, the race for Congress remained tight until several days after the election:
- Republicans secured the House majority on 17 November.
- The Senate remained undecided, with a crucial Nevada race taking four days to count.
- Georgia's Senate contest required a December runoff, with Democrats ultimately winning.
2026 Key Races
Seven Senate races are considered toss-ups, with Democrats needing to win four of these plus four others to gain control:
- Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.
Of concern for Democrats, a loss in Michigan would significantly hinder their chances of securing the Senate majority.