Voters in Portland and ten battleground states choose Senate leaders

Voters in Portland, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and Lake Oswego are heading to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Oregon holds its elections largely by mail, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Residents across the state are casting ballots for an open U.S. Senate seat, an open governorship, and every U.S. House seat. The state also votes on various local offices and measures that vary by county. While Oregonians decide their own leadership, the national picture hinges on the outcome of thirty-five Senate seats up for grabs today.

The Associated Press describes this midterm election as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. With polls open, voters are struggling with high prices and expressing anger over an unpopular war with Iran. According to AP-NORC polling, 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. Approximately seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most voters in these polls blame the president for high prices. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states.

The fight for control of the U.S. Senate is centered on thirteen battleground races rated by major tracking services. Ballotpedia identifies these contests as critical to the balance of power. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to achieve a majority. Republicans can lose only two seats to retain control. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. Winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley for the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Tillis retired after clashing with the president. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff runs against Republican Representative Mike Collins. The race in Ohio features Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown against Republican Senator Jon Husted in a special election to fill the seat of JD Vance. In Michigan, Republican former Representative Mike Rogers competes against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters. On Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers.

Texas presents a significant test for the Republican party, with Attorney General Ken Paxton facing Democrat James Talarico. Trump backed Paxton over Senator John Cornyn in the primary. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, runs against Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The Associated Press notes that economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas challenges former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat of retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. In Minnesota, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, are among four candidates for the seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith.

Kansas has become central to the fight for Senate control despite its reliable Republican history. The state's Senate race is rated toss-up to lean Republican. In Alaska, the race is rated toss-up to lean Democratic, adding to the uncertainty. The Trump administration filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result in Alaska. These ten states, along with others, will determine whether the president's party retains its grip on the chamber or if Democrats can force investigations and possible impeachment proceedings.

The mood in the country is tense as voters weigh their options. Republican committees have outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. Eighty-eight point one percent of Republican general election television ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This heavy spending includes more than 850 million dollars in areas where he won by ten points or more, according to an AP analysis of AdImpact data. Republicans are bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate.

Election administration has been a source of friction. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue this risks disenfranchising eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching these results closely, as Reuters notes that the outcomes could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

In Portland, voters are casting their ballots with the knowledge that their vote is part of a larger national effort. The state's open Senate seat and governorship are key components of the local contest. As polls close at 8 p.m., officials will begin the process of counting the votes. The results will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of the current presidential term. The stakes are high for both parties, with Democrats hoping to gain a majority in at least one chamber to assert oversight and legislative power.

The Associated Press notes that if Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who would be the first Black speaker, has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern with redistricting, but new districts in states like Florida may not vote as drawn. The outcome of these ten Senate races will be the defining feature of tonight's election.