Seven states could decide Senate control as vote counting begins

Vote counting begins Tuesday night, November 1, 2026, as polls close across the United States. Officials expect the process to continue for days or even weeks. Control of the House of Representatives may become clear sooner due to larger margins. Control of the Senate remains uncertain because seven states are especially competitive.

Two states use ranked choice voting, which can prolong the count time. The outcome of the Senate may hinge on a single seat. The House race is unlikely to turn on one district. Seven states are identified as particularly close for Senate control.

Polls close at 7 p.m. ET in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, and Vermont. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said new laws require counties to report results within an hour of polls closing. In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins for the Senate seat. The gubernatorial race between billionaire businessman Rick Jackson and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is described as one of the most competitive in the South.

South Carolina presents an unexpectedly tight Senate race. Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham died, faces Democratic nominee Annie Andrews. National polls call the race in the heavily Republican state a toss-up. The Cook Political Report gives Republicans the advantage.

North Carolina and Ohio polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET. In North Carolina, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper challenges Michael Whatley for the Republican-held Senate seat. Democrats last won a Senate race in the state in 2008. In Ohio, Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown are deadlocked. Ohio has become solidly Republican in the last decade, drawing attention to the close race.

The Ohio governor's race features Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy recently ran an attack ad against Acton featuring her estranged mother. The backlash to the ad may impact both the governor's race and the Senate contest. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET in 18 states, including Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.

Maine polls close at 8 p.m. ET. Incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces a challenge from Democratic candidate Troy Jackson. Democrats target this seat because a Republican holds a Senate seat in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024. In Florida, the governor's race favors Republican Rep. Byron Donalds over David Jolly. The Senate race is less competitive, with incumbent Ashley Moody poised to win over Angie Nixon.

Pennsylvania has four competitive House races. Three of these races now lean toward Democrats. In New Hampshire, Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has widened his lead against former Republican Sen. John Sununu. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET in 15 states, including Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, and Texas. These states host competitive Senate races that could decide chamber control.

In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs faces Republican Rep. Andy Biggs for the governor's seat. In Texas, state Rep. James Talarico challenges Ken Paxton for governor. A Democrat has not won a statewide race in Texas since the early 1990s. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton challenges Sen. Roger Marshall. In Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson faces Josh Turek for the open Senate seat.

Michigan voters choose between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers for governor. The race is a toss-up. In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces Michelle Tafoya for the Senate seat. Montana polls close at 10 p.m. ET. A toss-up House race pits Sam Forstag against Aaron Flint in the 1st Congressional District. California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington polls close at 11 p.m. ET. California has a new congressional map that has tilted close races toward Democrats.