From Abdul El-Sayed’s headline showdown in Michigan to unexpectedly tight races in red states like Texas and Kansas, we track all the key races live as polls begin to close.
Follow them live below and follow along to our full live coverage of the 2026 US midterms here.
SENATE
Most of the action is in the Senate races, where the Democrats need 51 seats and the Republicans need 50 (because of the tie-breaking vote owned by vice president JD Vance.)
South Carolina (polls close 11am AEDT)
This race has found the spotlight for two reasons – it’s a toss-up, and the Republican candidate Darline Graham is the sister of the late senator Lindsey Graham. She’s up against Annie Andrews in a very tight race in what’s typically a safe red state.
Georgia (polls close 11am AEDT)
This race is projected to be a pretty comfortable, possibly double-digit win for the Democrats. But we’re keeping our eye on it anyway because it features rising star incumbent Jon Ossoff, who’s already been linked with a run at the White House. He’s up against Republican Mike Collins.
Ohio (polls close 11.30am AEDT)
Ohio Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown is a former senator who chaired the Senate banking committee from 2021 to 2024, when he was a vocal critic of crypto. Ad-tracking business AdImpact says the crypto sector has spent $US68 million on defeating Brown, who is up against Republican incumbent Jon Husted in a high-stakes Senate race.
Maine (polls close 12pm AEDT)
One of the last remaining moderate strongholds for Republicans, incumbent Susan Collins has historically outperformed bad polling numbers to win time and time again. But with a poor net approval rating, she faces a stiff test this time around from Troy Jackson.
Texas (polls close 1pm AEDT)
Democrat James Talarico, who is trying to become the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the conservative state of Texas since 1988, has used concerns about political corruption in his campaign. He’s up against Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Kansas (polls close 1pm AEDT)
A Democrat hasn’t been elected to the Senate in Kansas for 94 years – that’s something the popular pastor Adam Hamilton is hoping change. He’s looking to take down Republican Roger Marshall.
Michigan (polls close 1pm AEDT)
In the swing state of Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed – a doctor, unionist and Muslim – and Republican Mike Rogers are locked in a tight race for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Gary Peters.
Iowa (polls close 1pm AEDT)
The Senate race between Republican congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Democratic state legislator Josh Turek in Iowa is something of a case study on the popularity of Trump. (Trump has, of course, asked voters to pretend he’s on the ballot these midterms, despite his weakened approval rating.)
Alaska (polls close 5pm AEDT)
Surging heating fuel, electricity and grocery prices are disproportionately whacking residents of this remote, traditionally red state. Democrat Mary Peltola, who says Alaskans endure the highest healthcare costs in the country, is facing off against Republican senator Dan Sullivan, and an unaffiliated retired teacher who goes by the same name – Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
GOVERNOR
Ohio
This race is perhaps most notable for the bitter tone between its candidates. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy was forced to pull an attack ad, where his camp tracked down Democratic rival Amy Acton’s estranged mother Donna, who claimed her daughter to be a serial liar who couldn’t be trusted.
Florida
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly face off in Marco Rubio country – so it’ll be interesting to see where voters go here, possibly offering some clues about a state that will be crucial in 2028.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
