Legal disputes are also adding uncertainty to the election. The Justice Department is challenging aspects of ballot processing in Alaska and California, while political disagreements have intensified in Michigan’s Democratic Senate campaign.
With control of Congress at stake, turnout, local issues and closely contested Senate races could shape the political direction of the United States for the remainder of President Trump’s term.
Nearly 50 Million Americans Have Already Voted
Early voting has reached a significant milestone ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
The University of Florida Election Lab reported 49,564,545 early votes as of Friday evening, October 30. The total included:
- 26,831,000 in-person early votes.
- 22,863,000 returned mail ballots.
The figures do not include New Hampshire and Alabama, which had not supplied data to the tracker.
The growing number of early ballots highlights strong participation before Election Day. However, the figures do not reveal which candidates voters supported.
Party registration data also requires careful interpretation. A larger number of registered voters from one political party does not automatically mean that party will win.
Republicans have historically received a larger share of their votes on Election Day in some states. Therefore, the final turnout picture could change significantly on November 3.
The University of Florida’s Election Lab continues to monitor early voting patterns across the country.
Senate Races Put Congressional Control in the Spotlight
Several competitive Senate contests are attracting particular attention as the election approaches.
According to the CBS News election analysis cited in its October 30 coverage, 11 Senate races are classified as battleground contests.
Five are rated toss-ups:
- Maine
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Texas
- Alaska
Three are considered Republican-leaning battlegrounds:
- Iowa
- Kansas
- South Carolina
Three are rated Democratic-leaning:
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
South Carolina’s inclusion has attracted attention because the state has traditionally favoured Republicans in federal elections.
Republican Darline Graham is seeking a full Senate term against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. Recent polling has suggested a closer contest than some observers initially expected.
The Senate results will be particularly important because even a small number of seat changes could determine which party controls the chamber.
The House is also competitive. Recent CBS News polling has indicated an advantage for Democrats, although the final outcome will depend on individual district contests and voter participation.
Ted Cruz Warns Republicans About Turnout in Texas
Republican Senator Ted Cruz has issued a warning about the potential consequences of weak conservative turnout.
Speaking on his Verdict podcast, Cruz said Republicans could lose Texas and face significant defeats in several competitive Senate races.
He pointed to early voting patterns and argued that Democratic voters were participating at a stronger rate in the early stages of voting.
Cruz also warned that Republicans could lose control of both the House and Senate if conservative voters failed to participate.
His comments reflect concerns within the Republican Party about the final turnout operation.
However, early voting totals alone cannot predict the election result. Many Republicans traditionally prefer voting on Election Day, which means the final numbers could look different.
Cruz urged conservative, independent and libertarian voters to participate before polls close on Tuesday.
Trump Restores Planned Rallies in Iowa and Kansas
President Donald Trump is continuing his campaign efforts to support Republican candidates in competitive states.
After initially cancelling planned visits to Iowa and Kansas, Trump announced that he would hold rallies in both states on Sunday, November 1.
The president made the announcement during a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday.
The two states are important to Republican efforts to retain control of the Senate.
In Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. The contest has attracted attention because Kansas has traditionally been a Republican stronghold.
Iowa is also important for Republicans, with the Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democratic challenger continuing to draw national attention.
Trump’s decision to return to the campaign trail reflects the importance of the final weekend for Republican candidates.
His appearances are intended to encourage supporters to vote and strengthen turnout in states where Senate contests remain competitive.
Alaska Senate Race Faces Legal Dispute Over Two Candidates Named Sullivan
One of the most unusual developments in the 2026 US midterm elections involves Alaska’s Senate contest.
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is seeking reelection against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. However, an independent candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan is also appearing on the ballot.
The similarity between the names has raised concerns about possible voter confusion.
The Justice Department has filed legal requests seeking to preserve and separate ballots that rank Daniel J. Sullivan. Federal officials argue that the situation could affect the integrity of the election.
The department has also sought expedited access to information involving Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Peltola has denied knowing about or participating in efforts to recruit the independent candidate.
Alaska election officials have opposed the federal government’s request. They argue that separating ballots could conflict with ballot secrecy protections and that existing procedures already require election records to be preserved.
The controversy has also prompted a state-level investigation ordered by Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy.
The case remains politically sensitive because it involves the possibility of challenging the certification of an election result.
The legal dispute does not establish that Peltola or her campaign committed wrongdoing.
California Court Blocks Federal Demand to Separate Disputed Ballots
A separate election-related legal battle is unfolding in California.
On Friday, October 30, a federal appeals court rejected the Justice Department’s request to require California officials to separate ballots associated with approximately 20,000 people whom federal authorities suspect may not be US citizens.
The ruling followed an earlier decision by a federal district judge.
The Trump administration had argued that the ballots should be kept separate until the citizenship status of the individuals could be verified.
California officials challenged the request, arguing that the underlying information was unreliable and could include eligible American citizens.
The appeals court agreed that identifying and separating the ballots could create serious problems for the election process.
Separately, US District Judge Trina Thompson issued an order directing federal officials to stop demanding that California election workers withhold or separate certain ballots. The order also addressed threats of criminal prosecution against officials who did not follow the federal demands.
The dispute has raised broader questions about the balance between federal election enforcement and the authority of state officials to administer elections.
It also highlights the legal challenges facing election administrators during the final days before voting.
Michigan Democrats Face Internal Campaign Disagreement
The Michigan Senate race has also experienced tensions within the Democratic Party.
Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed has clashed publicly with Representative Haley Stevens, his former opponent in the Democratic primary.
The disagreement centres on statements about Israel, campaign advertising and the party’s strategy ahead of Election Day.
Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement from an outside political group that she described as antisemitic. She also criticised his previous comments about US support for Israel and its connection to economic pressures in Michigan.
In addition, Stevens called for El-Sayed to remove a campaign advertisement featuring conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
El-Sayed rejected her criticism and accused his former primary opponent of reopening disagreements from the earlier contest.
His campaign also said it had no connection to the outside advertisement.
The disagreement became more complicated after Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, publicly indicated that he planned to vote for Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Despite the tensions, Stevens had previously reaffirmed her support for El-Sayed in the general election.
The dispute illustrates the challenges Democratic candidates face when attempting to unite different parts of their political coalition.
Texas Candidates Make Their Final Appeals to Voters
Texas remains one of the most closely watched states in the 2026 Senate elections.
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are using the final campaign weekend to reach voters across the state.
Paxton is holding events in Houston as part of his statewide campaign tour. His message focuses on conservative priorities and mobilising Republican supporters.
Talarico, meanwhile, is concentrating on voter outreach in Dallas and other communities.
The Texas Senate contest is especially important because Democrats have not won a US Senate election in the state since 1998.
Polling cited in the supplied CBS News coverage suggests a competitive race, although polling should not be treated as a prediction of the final result.
Immigration policy has emerged as a major issue among voters in South Texas.
Some residents have expressed concern about immigration enforcement and its impact on families and local communities. Others support stricter border security and deportation policies.
These differing views demonstrate the political complexity of the region.
The outcome could depend on how effectively both campaigns connect with voters concerned about immigration, economic conditions and border security.
Latino Voters Could Influence Key Election Results
Latino voters are another important group in several competitive races.
In South Texas, immigration policy has become a central topic of political discussion.
Some residents have raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement and the fear it may create within immigrant communities.
Others support stronger enforcement, arguing that immigration laws must be applied consistently.
The different perspectives show why candidates cannot assume that Latino voters share a single political position.
Economic concerns, public safety, immigration policy and access to services all influence voting decisions.
Campaigns are increasingly tailoring their messages to specific communities.
In Texas, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is also targeting Hispanic men through Spanish-language advertising.
Her campaign plans to use a television advertisement during a major boxing broadcast to reach viewers who may not regularly follow political coverage.
The strategy reflects the growing importance of targeted outreach in competitive states.
What Happens Next in the 2026 US Midterm Elections?
Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Candidates are spending the remaining campaign days trying to mobilize supporters, reach undecided voters and encourage early or Election Day participation.
The final results will determine the balance of power in Congress.
The Senate contests in Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Alaska are among the most closely watched races. Meanwhile, competitive House districts could determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the lower chamber.
Several election-related lawsuits may also influence how officials handle ballots and certify results.
For voters, the most important immediate step is to check official state election information for polling locations, voting hours and ballot requirements.
Although early voting has already reached nearly 50 million, the final outcome remains uncertain.
The November 3 results will provide a clearer picture of the country’s political direction and determine which party will shape the congressional agenda during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
