7 states to watch as Senate control hangs in the balance
Tighter margins in seven states and ranked choice voting in two could delay the final count of the Senate race.
By Sarah Ross ·
Voters in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, and Vermont cast ballots as polls closed at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2026. The outcome of the Senate could remain uncertain for days or even weeks. Seven states are close enough to swing the chamber's majority. Two states use ranked choice voting, a process that extends the time required to count ballots.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told local news outlets that new laws require counties to report results within an hour of polls closing. This follows delays in previous elections. In the state's Senate race, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is likely to defeat Republican Rep. Mike Collins. The governor's race is tighter. Republican nominee Rick Jackson competes against former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
At 8 p.m. ET, polls closed in Florida. Incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody is poised to win over Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon. The governor's race favors Republican Rep. Byron Donalds over Democrat David Jolly. Florida redrew its congressional maps ahead of this election. According to the Cook Political Report, seven House seats in the state are competitive, with two considered toss-ups. This will be the first test of the new districts.
Pennsylvania had the most competitive House races earlier in the cycle. Four seats were in play, including three toss-ups. As the map solidified in the last month, all three toss-ups now lean toward Democrats. The final seat remains a toss-up. Democrats could secure multiple wins in the state.
Polls closed at 9 p.m. ET in major states including Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, and Texas. These contests could decide Senate control. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton for governor. A Democrat has not won a statewide race in Texas since the early 1990s. In Kansas, Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton. The race has become too close to call.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed competes against Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers for governor. The race remains a toss-up. Republicans ran Islamophobic ads against El-Sayed. He responded by emphasizing his personal story. The state's governor contest favors Democrat Jocelyn Benson over Republican Rep. John James.
At 10 p.m. ET, polls closed in Montana, Nevada, and Utah. Montana's 1st Congressional District is a toss-up between Democrat Sam Forstag and Republican Aaron Flint. In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo fights for reelection against Democrat Aaron Ford. The race is considered a toss-up due to economic conditions in the state.
Polls closed at 11 p.m. ET in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. California voters redrew congressional boundaries in 2025 in response to redistricting battles. The new map made the state less competitive for Republicans. Close races in the state have mostly tilted toward Democrats in the final weeks.
Source: WLRN
