A quote Kos gives from T’s laughable Reflecting Pool speech makes me hopeful that the Republicans won’t be contesting their losses. Kos quotes from a Fact Post post:
‘Trump seems resigned to losing the midterms: "For some reason, the sitting president doesn't win the midterms. But we gave this a very strong shot."’
Whatever happens tonight, I'd like to say that I've really enjoyed being a part of this site and this community for the past 15-ish months, discussing this election. The Downballot is one of a kind, and it will hold a special place in my heart for as long as I can manage.
I have very much enjoyed being here myself. I’ve learned a lot about elections and I’ve had my own beliefs challenged on matters — I used to be a lot less pragmatic before I came here. You are all wonderful, thanks.
Victory is at hand! Final day of canvassing and campaign activities for me, including some poll watching in the afternoon. Working on my first campaign, for an IL state rep. Its been an amazing experience, and I got to work on turf where I grew up, and knocked some doors and talked to some people I havent seen in 15+ years. Energy is great. Hoping we have a great day!!
Good luck and best wishes, my southern friends and neighbours. I'm working from home today so I can wear whatever I want, so why not a t-shirt with a symbol of the fight against fascism and an example of what the best your country can be?
It’s that most wonderful day when we can finally switch from panicking over Very Meaningful anecdotal early vote turnout reports to panicking over Even More Meaningful anecdotal Election Day turnout reports!
FL is about R+20 so far today according to voting registration. NJ is about D+15-20.
Happy Election Day all! I have already early voted the whole Dem ticket in my area.
Regrettably, I was not able to canvass really this year. I have been extremely busy, this is my last semester of college and I’m prepping for grad school/currently in an internship so I have not been able to do much. That said, I made a point of early voting this year (previous years I voted Election Day) so I’m doing at least part of my part.
I submitted my mail in ballot last week. Unfortunately I think Prop 40 goes down and Props 41 and 42 probably pass. Ugh.
Hoping for a Raman win on the local level (I went to watch the Bears game at my local brewery and accidentally ended up at a Raman rally, so that was a nice surprise).
Begrudgingly voted for Becerra and under voted Bonta because he caved on the Skydance merger that has predictably gone south as everyone knew it would.
The culprit: paper ballots that are too thick for the machines to accept. The Board of Elections says ballots will be secure and every vote will be counted.
My prediction is Dems net a 4 seat gain in the senate, 51-49, by winning North Carolina, Maine, Ohio and Kansas. Net an 18 seat gain in the House, 233-202. And net 3 Governorships by winning Ohio, Iowa, Vermont and Nevada while losing Kansas.
Climate Hawks Vote endorsed Seven to Save the Senate -- AK, IA, ME, MI, NC, OH, TX. We also endorsed Flanagan back in the primary. Feeling pretty good about all of them except IA where I'm uneasy.
We endorsed seven to upgrade the House -- CA-22, CO-08, GA-13, IA-02, MI-07, TN-09, TX-23. Feeling pretty good about all of them except the last two; Pearson is a long shot but a stellar candidate, and TX-23 could be interesting. (I wanted to do a fundraiser email on "pick your most odious TX Repub -- Paxton, Herrera, or Bo French" but ran out of calendar space.)
And my weird downballot predictions: gains in WV and MO. MO, in particular, is interesting to watch: the legislature has been at war with the voters, and there's a lot of open seats. I'm guessing that they instituted term limits back when it was in fashion so this is the year that a lot of experienced legislators can't run again. So you have unknown Repubs vs unknown Dems in a red rural state where rural voters have good reason to be angry.
Good morning Downballoters – here we go!
A quote Kos gives from T’s laughable Reflecting Pool speech makes me hopeful that the Republicans won’t be contesting their losses. Kos quotes from a Fact Post post:
‘Trump seems resigned to losing the midterms: "For some reason, the sitting president doesn't win the midterms. But we gave this a very strong shot."’
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/11/2/800121557/elections/trump-concedes-midterms-before-polls-open/
I’ll be a poll observer at a local university today.
Fingers crossed for a great wave without blowback – and here’s to Kentucky 6!
I'll be joining the livestream at 6:45. Thanks Downballot for all your informative work. It keeps me so well informed.
Whatever happens tonight, I'd like to say that I've really enjoyed being a part of this site and this community for the past 15-ish months, discussing this election. The Downballot is one of a kind, and it will hold a special place in my heart for as long as I can manage.
This and Strength in Numbers have helped me stay both informed and sane for these midterms
Same here
Agreed joined back in maybe March having never really followed down ballot elections before. It’s a great community!
I have very much enjoyed being here myself. I’ve learned a lot about elections and I’ve had my own beliefs challenged on matters — I used to be a lot less pragmatic before I came here. You are all wonderful, thanks.
it's been my Hopium With Extra Strength Bonus Numbers the last few weeks. Here's hoping that most of the polls are accurate.
Victory is at hand! Final day of canvassing and campaign activities for me, including some poll watching in the afternoon. Working on my first campaign, for an IL state rep. Its been an amazing experience, and I got to work on turf where I grew up, and knocked some doors and talked to some people I havent seen in 15+ years. Energy is great. Hoping we have a great day!!
Good luck and best wishes, my southern friends and neighbours. I'm working from home today so I can wear whatever I want, so why not a t-shirt with a symbol of the fight against fascism and an example of what the best your country can be?
https://www.character.com/en-row/products/mens-captain-america-t-shirt-shield
My Election Projections for the US House, US Senate, and the Gubernatorials:
My final 2026 Election Projections are out.
2026 US Senate: 51 Dems, 46 GOP, 3 Tossups; 14 seats in play
2026 US Senate (w/o tossups): 53 Dems, 47 GOP
2026 House: 222 Dems, 193 GOP, 20 Tossups; 88 seats in play
2026 House (w/o tossups): 234 Dems, 201 GOP
PREDICTIONS: Democrats flip the House and Senate.
https://jgibsondem.substack.com/p/my-final-2026-election-projections
It’s that most wonderful day when we can finally switch from panicking over Very Meaningful anecdotal early vote turnout reports to panicking over Even More Meaningful anecdotal Election Day turnout reports!
FL is about R+20 so far today according to voting registration. NJ is about D+15-20.
Good thing we no longer care about FL or there would be a nationwide run on Depends! Lol
Happy Election Day all! I have already early voted the whole Dem ticket in my area.
Regrettably, I was not able to canvass really this year. I have been extremely busy, this is my last semester of college and I’m prepping for grad school/currently in an internship so I have not been able to do much. That said, I made a point of early voting this year (previous years I voted Election Day) so I’m doing at least part of my part.
I submitted my mail in ballot last week. Unfortunately I think Prop 40 goes down and Props 41 and 42 probably pass. Ugh.
Hoping for a Raman win on the local level (I went to watch the Bears game at my local brewery and accidentally ended up at a Raman rally, so that was a nice surprise).
Begrudgingly voted for Becerra and under voted Bonta because he caved on the Skydance merger that has predictably gone south as everyone knew it would.
I'm in Westchester County NY, where Conley needs great turnout to best Lawler. Machines all mysteriously down.
The culprit: paper ballots that are too thick for the machines to accept. The Board of Elections says ballots will be secure and every vote will be counted.
My prediction is Dems net a 4 seat gain in the senate, 51-49, by winning North Carolina, Maine, Ohio and Kansas. Net an 18 seat gain in the House, 233-202. And net 3 Governorships by winning Ohio, Iowa, Vermont and Nevada while losing Kansas.
Climate Hawks Vote endorsed Seven to Save the Senate -- AK, IA, ME, MI, NC, OH, TX. We also endorsed Flanagan back in the primary. Feeling pretty good about all of them except IA where I'm uneasy.
We endorsed seven to upgrade the House -- CA-22, CO-08, GA-13, IA-02, MI-07, TN-09, TX-23. Feeling pretty good about all of them except the last two; Pearson is a long shot but a stellar candidate, and TX-23 could be interesting. (I wanted to do a fundraiser email on "pick your most odious TX Repub -- Paxton, Herrera, or Bo French" but ran out of calendar space.)
And my weird downballot predictions: gains in WV and MO. MO, in particular, is interesting to watch: the legislature has been at war with the voters, and there's a lot of open seats. I'm guessing that they instituted term limits back when it was in fashion so this is the year that a lot of experienced legislators can't run again. So you have unknown Repubs vs unknown Dems in a red rural state where rural voters have good reason to be angry.