Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections: as prices and Iran war loom large

It is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open across the country. Voters are deciding who will control the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. All 435 House seats are up for grabs, along with 35 Senate seats. The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on the current administration, with many voters struggling with high prices and expressing anger over an unpopular war with Iran. The stakes are high, as the outcome will determine the balance of power in Washington and the direction of the country for the next two years.

For many Americans, the cost of living is the dominant issue at the ballot box. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, said he is paying more taxes and more for his healthcare, noting that he is paying more for everything. His sentiment reflects a broader national mood captured in AP-NORC polling, which shows that about seven in ten U.S. adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most of those respondents blame President Trump for high prices. Only 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of his job performance, while just 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. These numbers underscore the financial pressures that are driving voter behavior today.

Democratic leaders are framing the day around the need for change and accountability. Representative Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said that the American people are angry and that they want change. She emphasized that voters are looking for a government that will prioritize their economic security. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda that focuses on the cost of living and oversight of the administration. This agenda signals a clear priority for Democrats to address the economic concerns that are top of mind for voters today.

The path to a Democratic majority is challenging. In the House, Democrats need a net gain of three districts to achieve a majority, while Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. In the Senate, Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control, while Republicans can lose only two. The party currently holds 53 seats, with Democrats holding 45 plus two independents who caucus with them. These narrow margins mean that every vote matters in the closely watched races across the country.

Republicans are bracing for potential losses in the House while fighting to hold the Senate. Party chair Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, asserting that if they turn out their voters, they win. The Republican money advantage is a significant factor in this election, as Republican committees have outraised and outspent Democratic committees. This funding boost has been helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. This financial disparity is one of the key obstacles that Democrats must overcome as they campaign for a stronger voice in Congress.

Redistricting has also played a role in shaping the competitive landscape. Six states are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting: California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio also uses a new map. Republicans tried to beat the typical midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats, by leveraging these new districts. However, some new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. This uncertainty adds another layer of complexity to the election, making it difficult to predict the final outcome with certainty.

The Senate races are particularly intense in several states. In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper is facing former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is challenging Republican Representative Mike Collins. In Ohio, Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown is running against Republican Senator Jon Husted. In Michigan, Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is facing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is competing against Democrat James Talarico. These matchups are closely watched as they could determine which party controls the upper chamber.

Governor races are also drawing attention, with 36 governorships up for election. Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson is facing Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is competing against Democrat Amy Acton. These races are part of a broader effort by Democrats to build a stronger presence in state governments, which could influence national policy and governance.

Voters are also weighing the administration's handling of foreign policy, particularly the war in Iran. The conflict has been unpopular with many Americans, and it is a key factor in the election. President Trump held dozens of rallies before the election, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to pretend he was on the ballot. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during the final days of the campaign, reflecting the complex dynamics within the party.

Election administration has been a point of contention, with legal battles over voting procedures. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say this risked disenfranchising eligible voters and infringing on states' authority over elections. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on its lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time. These efforts are crucial to ensuring a smooth and fair election process.

To vote today, find your polling place at vote.gov or your state election office. Poll hours vary by state, so check your local times. For example, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in California, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Florida, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in New York. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so check your state's rules before going. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early voting suggests strong turnout, which is essential for both parties to achieve their goals.

Wall Street is watching the election closely, as results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the economy and financial markets. Investors are looking for clarity on fiscal policy and regulatory direction, which will be shaped by the new composition of Congress. The election is not just a political event but also an economic one, with potential impacts on stock prices, interest rates, and overall market sentiment.