Glossary
Midterm election
The general election held midway through a president's four-year term, in which all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are contested.
Also called: midterms, midterm elections
A midterm election is a national election held two years after a presidential election, in the middle of a president's four-year term. All 435 House seats are on the ballot, about one-third of Senate seats (each senator serves six years in staggered cycles) and most governorships and many state legislative seats.
Historically, the president's party loses seats in the House in nearly every midterm, with a few exceptions such as 1998 and 2002. Explanations include voters' tendency to balance the president, lower turnout among the president's supporters compared with presidential years, and the loss of the coattail effect. The size of the loss usually correlates with the president's approval rating and economic conditions. Analysts study the generic ballot to forecast results.
Midterms are important because they determine control of Congress, which affects the president's agenda, oversight and ability to confirm judges. A divided government often results, which can lead to gridlock or to investigations. After a midterm, a lame-duck session follows. Midterm turnout is lower than in presidential years, though recent midterms have drawn high participation. Redistricting also influences results.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026