Introduction
As of October 4, 2026, election officials across the United States have finished certifying the candidates and propositions that will appear on the November 3 general election ballot. Voters will decide not only the composition of Congress and dozens of statewide offices, but also a range of policy questions that could shape state law for years to come. In this guide we walk through the structure of the ballot, point readers to the most reliable sources for candidate positions, and share the IGTrendy editorial board’s recommendations based on a review of publicly available statements, nonpartisan analyses, and endorsements from reputable civic organizations.
What the Ballot Contains
The 2026 midterm election follows the familiar pattern: all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, as are one‑third of the Senate seats (the Class III senators whose terms end in January 2027). In addition, 36 governorships are on the ballot, along with numerous state legislative seats, local offices, and, in many states, a slate of ballot measures that range from constitutional amendments to statutory proposals.
Because election administration is decentralized, the exact mix of contests varies by state. The most authoritative source for each jurisdiction is the secretary of state’s election division, which publishes sample ballots, voter information guides, and deadline calendars. For example, the California Secretary of State’s voter information page (sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-information-guide) provides the official PDF guide that includes impartial analyses of each statewide measure, while the Texas Secretary of State’s elections site (sos.state.tx.us/elections/ballot/ballotmeasures.shtml) lists the propositions that have been certified for the November ballot.
Federal Races
U.S. Senate
Thirty‑four Senate seats are contested in 2026. While the specific matchups differ by state, the outcomes will influence the chamber’s ability to pass legislation on issues such as climate policy, voting rights, and reproductive health. Nonpartisan outlets like Ballotpedia (ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections,_2026) offer side‑by‑side comparisons of candidates’ stated positions, campaign finance data, and endorsements from groups such as the League of Women Voters and the Brennan Center for Justice.
Our editorial board recommends that voters prioritize candidates who have explicitly committed to protecting access to the ballot, supporting comprehensive climate legislation, and upholding the precedent set by Roe v. Wade (or its state‑level equivalents) where applicable. These commitments can be verified on candidates’ official campaign websites or in their responses to voter guides published by state election offices.
U.S. House of Representatives
All House seats are up for election, making the chamber’s composition highly responsive to shifts in public opinion. The Cook Political Report (cookpolitical.com/race/ratings/house) regularly updates ratings that reflect the competitiveness of each district, which can help voters understand whether their vote is likely to be decisive.
For the House, we suggest looking at candidates’ positions on three cross‑cutting topics that frequently appear in district‑level debates: (1) federal funding for renewable energy infrastructure, (2) measures to curb gerrymandering through independent redistricting commissions, and (3) support for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship. Voters can find these positions in the candidates’ responses to the National Election Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org/politics) or in local newspaper endorsements.
Statewide Offices
Governorships
Thirty‑six states will elect a governor in November 2026. Gubernatorial races often determine the direction of state policy on education funding, Medicaid expansion, and criminal‑justice reform. The National Governors Association (nga.org) provides a directory of incumbent governors and links to each state’s official election site, where sample ballots and candidate statements are posted.
Our board recommends that voters consider gubernatorial candidates who have presented concrete plans to (a) expand access to affordable health care, (b) invest in public transit and renewable energy projects, and (c) protect voting rights by opposing restrictive ID laws and supporting automatic voter registration. These platforms are typically outlined in the candidates’ policy PDFs hosted on their campaign sites or in the official voter information guides.
Other Statewide Positions
Many states also elect attorneys general, secretaries of state, treasurers, and auditors. These offices play a critical role in enforcing election law, defending consumer protections, and managing state finances. The nonpartisan organization Vote Smart (votesmart.org) aggregates candidates’ answers to issue‑based questionnaires, making it easier to compare their stances on topics such as campaign‑finance transparency and data privacy.
We advise voters to look for candidates who pledge to strengthen enforcement of anti‑corruption statutes, to support open‑records initiatives, and to resist efforts to politicize the administration of elections.
Ballot Measures
Beyond candidate contests, the November ballot features a variety of measures that can alter state constitutions, statutes, or local charters. Because these questions are often written in legal language, the official voter information guides prepared by each secretary of state are indispensable. They contain an impartial summary, a fiscal impact statement, and the arguments submitted by both proponents and opponents.
Based on a review of the guides from several states (California, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio, among others), we have identified three thematic clusters that appear repeatedly across the country:
- Reproductive‑health protections. Measures that would enshrine the right to abortion or contraception in state law, or conversely, proposals that would impose additional restrictions. The guides typically note that such measures have significant implications for access to health care.
- Voting‑access reforms. Proposals to implement automatic voter registration, restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals, or establish independent redistricting commissions. These measures are frequently framed as ways to increase participation and reduce partisan gerrymandering.
- Clean‑energy and climate initiatives. Bonds or tax incentives aimed at expanding renewable‑energy generation, improving energy efficiency in public buildings, or funding electric‑vehicle infrastructure.
In each case, the voter information guide provides a clear statement of the measure’s likely fiscal effect and a summary of the principal arguments.
Our Recommendations on Measures
After weighing the impartial analyses, the fiscal notes, and the endorsements from respected nonpartisan groups (such as the League of Women Voters, the Brennan Center, and the Union of Concerned Scientists), the IGTrendy editorial board offers the following guidance:
- Support measures that protect or expand reproductive‑health rights. In states where a measure would codify access to abortion or contraception, we recommend a “Yes” vote. The guiding principle is that individuals should be able to make private medical decisions without undue governmental interference.
- Back proposals that strengthen voting access. Measures that create automatic voter registration, restore voting rights, or establish independent redistricting commissions align with the goal of a representative democracy that reflects the electorate’s diversity.
- Endorse clean‑energy and climate‑related bonds or incentives. Investing in renewable infrastructure not only addresses climate change but also creates jobs and reduces long‑term energy costs for consumers.
- Oppose measures that would impose new restrictions on voting or reproductive health. Proposals that add stringent ID requirements, limit early voting, or seek to overturn existing protections tend to reduce participation and may face legal challenges.
These recommendations are intentionally broad so that they can be applied to the specific language of each measure as it appears in the official voter information guide. Voters should consult the guide for their jurisdiction to confirm the exact title, number, and text of the proposition before casting a ballot.
How to Use This Guide
1. Locate your official sample ballot or voter information guide on your state secretary of state’s website (search “[State] secretary of state voter information guide 2026”).
2. Identify the federal, statewide, and local contests that apply to your address.
Remember that the deadline to request a mail‑in ballot varies by state; most require the request to be received by early October. In‑person early voting periods typically begin in mid‑October, with Election Day voting on November 3.
Conclusion
The November 3, 2026 ballot presents voters with a meaningful opportunity to shape the direction of both federal and state policy. By relying on the impartial analyses provided by election officials, consulting nonpartisan candidate comparisons, and applying a clear set of principles—protecting reproductive freedom, expanding voting access, and investing in clean energy—voters can navigate the ballot with confidence. We encourage all eligible citizens to verify their registration, review their sample ballot, and make their voices heard in this pivotal election.