US midterms 2026: What Americans have voted on beyond Congress

Tens of millions of people in the United States are expected to vote in the midterm elections, with the results in several states likely to shape the country’s future and what President Donald Trump’s final two years in office look like.

While Trump has asked voters to pretend he is on the ballot, for many voters across the country, there is already more to vote on than just their senators and representatives in Congress.

Thirty-six US states will vote for their next governor. The voting states represent around 80 per cent of the country’s population.

In 19 states, there is no incumbent on the ballot. In some states, the current officeholder has voluntarily decided to not run again, while other jurisdictions have term limits.

The Democrats, according to their governors association, hope it’s an opportunity to reclaim the majority of governors, which they last held in 2006.

“Our goal is not just the majority of the population, but the majority of states,” Meghan Meehan-Draper, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, told the Associated Press.

Key states thought to be open to Democrats in the governor race include Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada and Ohio. The party is also challenging in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and Nebraska, while Republicans look to Michigan and Oregon.

Ballot measures

Voters in many jurisdictions will be asked to weigh in on statewide and local ballot measures, which are questions on issues or proposed laws placed before voters on ballots, similar to a referendum.

The proposals include changes to voting requirements, abortion rights, LGBTQI+ rights and immigration. Some quirkier propositions are also on the ballot in some states, including Idaho, where voters are being asked to designate a state gun.

Several jurisdictions will vote on proposals that could change elections for decades to come. In Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada, voters will consider more stringent voter identification requirements.

Most states in the US don’t use preferential voting. Alaska, one of the states that use ranked-choice voting, is asking voters whether they should get rid of it.

Tens of local ballot measures address the rapid growth of data centres, including construction, zoning and approval requirements.

In California, Proposition 40 is being watched as it would impose a one-time 5 per cent tax on billionaires living in the state. Supporters say the funds would be directed towards healthcare, education and food assistance programs.

Meanwhile, in Washington, voters are being asked whether a tax on income above $1 million should be removed.

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