Central Florida voters head to polls as ten state Senate races decide congressional control

In Central Florida, voters in Orlando, Deltona, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, and Apopka are heading to polling places today to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. Polls in Florida are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the state divided between the Eastern and Central time zones. According to Ballotpedia, there is no regular U.S. Senate election in Florida this year, but the state is participating in a special election for the remainder of the term previously held by Marco Rubio. The governor’s office is also on the ballot as an open seat, with no incumbent running. Every U.S. House seat in the state is up for election, alongside state and local offices that vary by county.

Residents of the region are casting votes amid a national atmosphere described by the Associated Press as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term. The AP reports that voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. In a recent AP-NORC poll, 35% of U.S. adults approve of the president’s job performance, while 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten respondents said the country is heading in the wrong direction. The Associated Press notes that more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states.

Across the country, the outcome of the election will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of the president’s term. All 435 seats in the U.S. House are up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to achieve a majority, whereas Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. In the U.S. Senate, 35 seats are contested. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control, while Republicans can lose only two. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber.

Ten specific Senate matchups are drawing national attention due to their potential impact on party control. In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley for the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is running for re-election against Republican Representative Mike Collins. In Ohio, Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Senator Jon Husted in a special election. In Michigan, Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is competing against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for the open seat left by retiring Senator Gary Peters.

In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is running against Democrat James Talarico. The Associated Press notes that President Trump backed Paxton over Senator John Cornyn in the primary. In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins is facing Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The AP reports that economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas is running against former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat of retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In Minnesota, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya are among four candidates competing for the seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith.

Kansas has become central to the fight for Senate control despite being a reliably Republican state. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result. In Iowa, the seat is open after Senator Joni Ernst announced her retirement. In Nebraska, Republican Senator Pete Ricketts is seeking re-election. In Montana, the seat is open after Senator Steve Daines announced he would not run again. The Associated Press describes the election as a critical test for both parties, with Republicans bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate. Democrats were described as cautiously optimistic about their chances.

Florida is one of six states using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting, along with California, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio also uses a new map. The Associated Press notes that new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. This redistricting effort was part of a strategy by Republicans to beat the midterm pattern, which typically sees a president’s party lose seats. However, the AP warns that the effectiveness of these maps remains to be seen as voters head to the polls.

The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees out-raised and out-spent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats out-raised their opponents. According to an AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024, including more than $850 million where he won by 10 points or more. This spending strategy reflects the party’s focus on protecting its base in strong Republican areas.

Voter sentiment is mixed, with many expressing frustration over the cost of living. James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, told the Associated Press that he is paying more for taxes, healthcare, and everything else. In contrast, Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump’s work closely and believes he is doing an awesome job. The Associated Press reports that Republicans are emphasizing turnout, with RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stating that everything depends on getting voters to the polls. Democrats, led by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight if they gain control of either chamber.