36 governor races hinge on open seats and battleground swings

Polls in Whatcom County and across Washington state closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Residents in Bellingham, Marysville, and Lake Stevens participated in a mail-based election that included federal and state offices. Washington does not have a governor race this year, so the state's voters focused on other positions. The state has no U.S. Senate election in 2026. Every U.S. House seat in Washington is on the ballot. State and local offices and measures also appear on the ballot, varying by county. The Associated Press notes that the election serves as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term.

Nationwide, voters are deciding the fate of 36 governorships. According to Ballotpedia, Republicans currently hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats hold 24. Among the 36 offices on the ballot, each party holds 18. This creates a balanced starting point for the state executive branch. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority. Republicans have held a majority of governorships since 2010. The outcome of these races will influence the political landscape for the next four years.

Nineteen of the 36 governor races have no incumbent on the ballot. This high number of open seats complicates the path for both parties. Fifteen governors are term-limited and cannot run again. Iowa's Kim Reynolds, Minnesota's Tim Walz, and Wisconsin's Tony Evers chose not to run. Rhode Island's Daniel McKee lost his primary. The Associated Press and Ballotpedia identify these vacancies as a key factor in the competitiveness of the elections. Voters in these states are selecting new leaders without a sitting governor to judge.

Ballotpedia lists nine states as governor battlegrounds. These include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Democrats are defending five governorships in states where Trump won in 2024. These states are Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans are defending two governorships in states where Kamala Harris won. These are New Hampshire and Vermont. The Associated Press notes that these matchups are critical for determining party control.

Several key governor races have drawn national attention. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. They will succeed Brian Kemp. In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo runs against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy competes against Democrat Amy Acton. The AP reports that Ramaswamy's campaign faced backlash over an ad featuring Acton's estranged mother. These races highlight the personal and policy stakes involved in the 2026 midterms.

The Associated Press describes the overall mood as one of struggle with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. Only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About 7 in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most blame Trump for high prices. This sentiment may influence how voters choose their state leaders. The financial strain reported by voters is a central theme in the campaign trails.

More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, according to the Associated Press. This surpasses the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. The high turnout reflects the significance of the midterm elections. Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate. Democrats were described as cautiously optimistic. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber. This tight margin increases the importance of every vote cast in the 36 governor races.

Money is playing a significant role in the 2026 elections. The Associated Press reports that these elections will likely be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees. This was helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. At the candidate level, however, Democrats outraised their opponents. Eighty-eight.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This included more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more. The distribution of funds suggests a strategy focused on holding ground in friendly territories.

Election administration issues have also arisen. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say 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. These administrative steps are crucial for the integrity of the vote in states like Washington, which relies heavily on mail ballots.

Wall Street is watching the results for broader economic implications. Reuters says the outcomes could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The control of Congress and statehouses will determine the legislative agenda for the next two years. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party gains control. He has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates like Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg.

The 2026 midterm elections mark the halfway point of President Trump's second term. The results will decide who controls Congress and the balance of power in state governments. For voters in Bellingham, Marysville, and Lake Stevens, the day is complete. Their ballots are part of a national decision that will shape policy on taxes, education, and the economy. The 36 governor races, with their mix of open seats and battleground contests, are central to this shifting political landscape. The final tallies will reveal how Americans have voted on the direction of the country and their states.