The 2026 midterms are already underway. Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina voted March 3. Illinois followed on March 17. Mississippi on March 10. By the time the last ballots are counted in Delaware's September 15 primary, voters in 50 states will have decided who makes the November ballot for 33 Senate seats, 36 governorships, and all 435 House districts.
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to retake the majority. Republicans can lose no more than two House seats to keep their razor-thin edge. That math alone makes 2026 the most structurally competitive midterm since 2018 — and primary season is where the battlefield gets defined.
The calendar below tracks every state primary date, runoff schedule, and key race. We've marked which primaries have already been decided, which are coming up next, and which carry the races that will determine control of Congress and the governors' mansions. Use the filters to find your state, your month, or just the races that matter most.
What to Watch
The May Gauntlet
Between May 5 and May 26, thirteen states hold primaries — including Ohio's governor and Senate races, Georgia's Senate and governor contests, and the Cornyn vs. Paxton Texas GOP runoff. May will define the general election battlefield.
The June Sprint
Fourteen more states vote in June, including California's jungle primary for governor, Iowa's historic double-vacancy races, Maine's Susan Collins challenge, and Virginia's Senate primary. Colorado closes the month on June 30.
The August Pile-up
Sixteen states and territories hold primaries in August — the busiest month of the calendar. Michigan's three-way governor race, Florida's crowded fields, Minnesota's open Senate seat, and Alaska's ranked-choice Senate contest all land here.