Southeast Voters Decide Senate and Governor Races in Midterm Showdown

Voters across the Southeast began casting ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide the fate of seven state legislatures and several high-stakes Senate races. According to Ballotpedia, the region includes Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Each state has specific polling hours, with Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. North Carolina polls open earlier at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m., while Tennessee polling times vary by county. These elections are part of the midterm contests that will determine control of Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term.

In Georgia, voters are choosing between incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican Representative Mike Collins. The state voted for Trump by a margin of 2.2 percent in 2024, making it a closely watched battleground. Ballotpedia notes that the race is rated as leaning to likely Democratic. The governor's office is also an open seat following the departure of Brian Kemp. Republican healthcare executive Rick Jackson is facing Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in that race.

Florida does not have a Senate race on the ballot this year, but the governor's office is an open seat. The Associated Press describes the Florida governor race as competitive. The state uses a new congressional map after mid-decade redistricting, which may influence how districts vote compared to previous cycles. Polls in Florida open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., allowing voters ample time to cast their ballots during the day.

North Carolina voters are deciding the open Senate seat left by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. The race features Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. According to Ballotpedia, the state voted for Trump by 3.3 percent in 2024. There is no governor race in North Carolina this year. The state also utilizes a new congressional map, and polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

South Carolina presents two major races for its voters. Incumbent Republican Senator Darline Graham is seeking re-election, while the governor's office is an open seat. Polling hours in the state run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Associated Press notes that President Trump included South Carolina in his recent rally schedule, indicating the party's focus on the state. The outcome of these races will contribute to the national tally for Senate and governorship control.

Tennessee voters are also facing an open Senate race and an open governor's race. Incumbent Republican Senator Bill Hagerty is not running again, leaving the seat open for challengers. The governor's race is also without an incumbent on the ballot. Polling times in Tennessee vary by county, requiring voters to check local schedules. The state is using a new congressional map, which could shift dynamics in local House races as well.

Alabama has an open Senate seat and an open governor's race on the ballot. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The state is part of the group of six states using new congressional maps after redistricting. The outcome of the Senate race in Alabama will be closely watched as it is one of the 35 seats up for election nationally. The governor's race is another key contest for state leadership.

Mississippi voters are deciding the fate of incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. There is no governor race in Mississippi this year. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. President Trump held a rally in Mississippi as part of his campaign schedule, highlighting the state's importance in the midterm elections. The Senate race is one of the 20 Republican-held seats up for election, making it crucial for the party's effort to hold its majority.

Across the region, more than 57 million people had already voted by Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. The Associated Press reports that the election is being viewed as a referendum on Trump's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction.

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. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This financial disparity highlights the significant investment both parties are making in the outcome of these midterm elections.

The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. Wall Street is watching the results closely, as control of Congress could impact investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The stakes are high, with one or two seats potentially tipping the balance of power in either chamber.