2026 midterm campaigns make final push before Election Day as early voters fill polls

Early voting and control

Early voting is underway across the country ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. More than 35 million people had cast ballots by Tuesday, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.

CBS News’ Battleground Tracker estimates Democrats have an advantage in the race for control of the House. Senate control could be determined by voters in several closely contested states, from Alaska to Maine.

Republicans hold 218 House seats, along with an independent who usually caucuses with them. Democrats have 214 seats, and two seats are vacant. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 47.

Murkowski backs Alaska Democrat

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic Alaska gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. Kreiss-Tomkins is widely known as JKT, and has emphasized bipartisanship during his campaign. Murkowski said Kreiss-Tomkins would work with the legislature and urged Alaskans across party lines to consider supporting him. She also criticized Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s handling of federal funding, saying the state had left money and opportunities unused. Kreiss-Tomkins said he was honored to receive Murkowski’s support.

Trump campaigns in Texas

President Trump held two rallies in Texas on Tuesday, campaigning for Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for Senate, and several House candidates, including Rep. Monica De La Cruz in South Texas.

Trump said gas prices, elevated amid the Iran war, would fall rapidly, while also pointing to the performance of Texas’ oil industry. He criticized Talarico and said he would veto legislation if Democrats took control of the Senate, though he said he preferred working from a positive position.

Ohio race faces ad backlash

At two campaign events Tuesday, Ramaswamy did not address his campaign’s recent advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton. He described the election as a turning point and warned that socialism could spread in Ohio.

Acton said she has not seen her mother since her mother and stepfather appeared at a court date decades ago. She said they left town after posting bond.