Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Election Day isn't until November, but you're probably already hearing a whole lot about midterms. Midterm elections—U.S. elections that happen every four years in the middle of a presidential term—involve all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and about a third of the members of the U.S. Senate. They're widespread, a little confusing, and a very big deal.

Why do midterm elections matter so much in U.S. politics? And how do they impact the rest of a presidential term? Watch this video to find out—and let us know which midterm races you're following in the comments.

Learn more from Britannica:
All About the 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections: britannica.com/event/2026-US-midterm-elections
Key Issues in the 2026 Midterms: britannica.com/question/What-are-key-issues-in-the-2026-midterms
What Is a Midterm Election, Anyway? britannica.com/topic/midterm-election

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