Florida voters cast ballots in competitive governor and special Senate race

Polls across Central Florida are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today as voters in Orlando, Deltona, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, and Apopka head to the polls. According to Ballotpedia, Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones, so the 7 p.m. closing time applies to all voters in the state. Residents can find their specific polling location at vote.gov. The state has no regular U.S. Senate election this year, but a special election is on the ballot for the remainder of the term that Senator Marco Rubio was elected to in 2022.

In this special Senate race, incumbent Republican Ashley B. Moody is on the ballot. Ballotpedia lists candidates from the Democratic and No Party Affiliation parties as also being on the ballot for the general election. Several other candidates lost their primaries earlier this year. This race is one of two special Senate elections being held in 2026, the other being in Ohio for the remainder of the term Vice President JD Vance was elected to.

Florida voters are also deciding the state's next governor. This is an open seat because no incumbent is running for the office. The ballot includes candidates from the Democratic, Libertarian, No Party Affiliation, and Republican parties. Every U.S. House seat in the state is also on the ballot, along with state and local offices. Voters in the county will also decide on various local measures and school board elections that vary by specific municipality.

Nationally, the midterm election will determine which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. All 435 U.S. House seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need to gain a net of three seats to take the majority in the House, while Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts in the House race.

For the U.S. Senate, 35 of 100 seats are up for election. This includes 33 regular elections and the two special elections in Florida and Ohio. Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45, with two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to achieve a majority in the Senate. Republicans can only afford to lose two seats. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. Winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

Ballotpedia lists 13 Senate races as battlegrounds. These include races in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. Ratings from major election analysts vary. Maine is considered a toss-up by all four major trackers. Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, and Michigan are rated as toss-ups or leaning in one direction. Georgia is rated as leaning to likely Democratic. The Associated Press notes that economic strain and tariffs have made Maine competitive, while Kansas has become central to the fight for Senate control.

The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on Trump's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and angry over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans are bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate, and Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic.

Trump held dozens of rallies during the final stretch, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told voters, "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. Trump 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 outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in spending where he won by 10 points or more. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said, "The American people are angry. They want change."

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 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 tried to beat the midterm pattern of a president's party losing seats with redistricting, but new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time.

Voters should note that anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so voters should check their state's rules before going to the polls. In Florida, the governor's race and the special Senate race are the primary federal and state contests. Local elections for school boards and municipal governments are also taking place. The results will determine the balance of power in the federal government for the next two years and set the stage for the 2028 presidential cycle.