Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections for Central Florida and the nation

Election Day has arrived in Central Florida, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. local time for voters across the region. The state is split between the Eastern and Central time zones, so residents should verify their specific local time to ensure they cast their ballots before the deadline. According to Ballotpedia, Florida voters are deciding on the governorship, with an open seat as no incumbent is running for the office. The ballot also includes every U.S. House seat in the state, along with various state and local offices and measures that vary by county.

In the communities of Orlando, Deltona, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, and Apopka, citizens are lining up to exercise their right to vote in what is described as a critical midpoint check on the administration. The governor’s race features candidates from the Democratic, Libertarian, No Party Affiliation, and Republican parties. While there is no U.S. Senate election in Florida this year, the state’s congressional delegation is entirely up for grabs, making the local stakes as high as the national ones.

Voters can find their specific polling place by visiting vote.gov or contacting their state election office. It is important to note that identification rules vary by state, so residents should check Florida’s specific requirements before heading to the polls. One of the most important rules to remember is that anyone who is in line when the polls close is entitled to vote. This means that if you arrive at 6:59 p.m. and join the queue, you must be allowed to cast your ballot even if you do not finish until after 7 p.m.

The national picture is equally intense, as this midterm election determines who controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. All 435 seats in the U.S. House are up for election. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. For Democrats to gain a majority in the House, they need a net gain of three districts. Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats to maintain their current control.

In the U.S. Senate, 35 of the 100 seats are on the ballot, including 33 regular elections and two special elections. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with the Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the Senate, while Republicans can lose only two. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. The winners in these races will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

Governor races are also a major focus, with 36 governorships up for election. Republicans currently hold 26 governor’s offices, and Democrats hold 24. In the races on the ballot this year, each party holds 18 of the contested seats. Nineteen of these races do not have an incumbent on the ballot, either due to term limits or choices not to run. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a status Republicans have held since 2010.

According to the Associated Press, the election is being viewed as a referendum on President Trump’s second term. Voters are reported to be struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. Polling from AP-NORC indicates that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the president for high prices.

Turnout has been significant, with more than 57 million people having already voted as of Monday. This number surpasses the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans have been bracing for the possibility of losing the House while fighting to hold the Senate. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber. Democrats, meanwhile, are described as being cautiously optimistic about their chances.

President Trump has been active in campaigning, holding dozens of rallies and ending his recent schedule in Salina, Kansas. He stated, “I really want you to pretend I’m on the ballot.” His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates have kept their distance from the president, and he has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats fear interference as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. 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. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This included more than $850 million in states where he won by 10 points or more.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said, “Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that’s what we’ve been planning for.” In contrast, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene stated, “The American people are angry. They want change.” Voter sentiment is mixed, with Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, saying, “I’ve just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he’s doing an awesome job.” James Moore, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, expressed a different view, noting, “I’m paying more taxes. I’m paying more for my healthcare. I’m paying more for everything.”

If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. Republicans have tried to beat the midterm pattern, where a president’s party almost always loses seats, by using redistricting. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn.

A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration on Monday from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say this risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states’ authority over elections. A judge also 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 has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time.

Wall Street is watching the results closely, as Reuters notes that the outcomes could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. For voters in Central Florida, the day is about making their voices heard in a historic election. Whether in the bustling streets of Orlando or the quieter neighborhoods of Apopka, residents are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of their state and the nation.