WATCH LIVE: Takeaways from the 2026 midterms and answers to your election questions

U.S. midterm elections are nationwide elections held about two years after a presidential election. They are called “midterms” because they occur near the middle of a president’s four-year term. The president is not replaced, but voters decide many other offices.

These elections matter because they can change who controls Congress and state governments. Voters may focus on local concerns, national policies, or the president’s record. The election can therefore become an early judgment on the administration’s performance.

The PBS article describes the 2026 election as a possible referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term. It also notes that the issues voters prioritize will become clearer as results arrive. The outcome may shape the political environment for the rest of his term.

Midterm elections typically decide seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and part of the U.S. Senate. Voters also commonly choose governors, state legislators, and local officials, although the exact ballot differs by state. These races can affect national policy and everyday government decisions.

The House has 435 voting seats, and all are normally up for election every two years. The Senate has 100 seats, with roughly one-third—usually 33 or 34 seats—contested during a midterm. Some special elections can change the exact number.

The PBS article focuses on the 2026 midterms but does not list the offices or seat totals. Those figures come from the normal U.S. election schedule. The results can determine which party controls Congress and how much influence the president has over legislation.

Election results are not always final on election night because officials must count every valid ballot. Mail ballots, provisional ballots, overseas ballots, and ballots requiring additional checks can take longer. States also use different counting deadlines and procedures.

A close contest may remain unsettled even when most votes are reported. News organizations can project a winner, but an official result requires election officials to finish counting, resolve eligible challenges, and complete required checks. Recounts may also be triggered when the margin is especially narrow.

The PBS article explicitly warns that the final outcome of the 2026 election may still be unknown Wednesday morning. It says this is normal and that returns will continue to roll in. The article’s post-election discussion begins at noon Wednesday, whether or not every race is settled.

When a midterm acts as a referendum, voters treat the election partly as a judgment on the president. They may reward the president’s party for policies they support or punish it for problems they associate with the administration. This is not a separate legal vote on the president.

For example, a voter may choose congressional candidates because of the president’s economic policies, executive actions, or handling of national issues. If the president’s party gains seats, observers may view that as support. If it loses seats, the result may signal dissatisfaction, though voters can also be motivated by local issues.

The PBS article asks how much Americans will use the ballot box as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term. It says the answer will come into view over the days after Election Day, as results and the issues rising to the top become clearer.

Congress writes federal laws, controls government funding, and oversees the executive branch. The president can propose policies and sign or veto legislation, but many parts of an agenda require congressional action. Midterm results can therefore change the practical limits on presidential power.

If the president’s party keeps or gains majorities, congressional leaders may be more willing to advance administration priorities. If the opposing party controls one or both chambers, it can block legislation, demand changes, or use oversight to investigate executive actions. In either situation, the president remains in office.

The PBS article says the 2026 election may reveal how Americans view Trump’s second term. It does not report the results or identify which party will control Congress. As returns and later certifications become available, those results will show how easily the administration can pursue its agenda.

Election officials first finish counting eligible ballots under state rules. If the margin is within a legally defined range, a recount may be automatic or requested. A recount checks the vote totals; it does not automatically mean the result will change.

Candidates or voters may challenge specific ballots or procedures in court or before election officials. Judges can require additional action when state law or election rules were allegedly violated. After counting and disputes are resolved, officials certify the final totals. Certification formally records the winner.

The PBS article does not describe a specific 2026 recount or challenge. General U.S. election procedures explain why a result may take time after Election Day. The article says final outcomes may still be unknown Wednesday morning, so unresolved races could continue through counting, legal review, recounts, and certification before winners take office.

The U.S. system divides power between the executive and legislative branches. The president leads the executive branch, while Congress writes laws, approves funding, and oversees federal agencies. This separation means presidential leadership does not guarantee that proposed policies become law.

For example, a president may support a bill, but Congress must pass it before the president can sign it. A Congress controlled by the president’s party may move priorities more easily. A Congress controlled by the opposing party may block bills, negotiate changes, restrict funding, or intensify oversight.

The PBS article does not report who will control Congress after the 2026 election. It does say the election will reveal which issues rise to the top and how voters assess Trump’s second term. Those results will help determine the administration’s political room to act during the remaining term.