Florida voters decide Senate special race as 13 battlegrounds hang in the balance

Voters in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas Park entered the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to participate in the midterm elections that will determine the balance of power in the United States Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. According to Ballotpedia, Florida polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the state divided between the Eastern and Central time zones. Residents can verify their specific polling place through vote.gov or their local county election office. While the state does not have a regular U.S. Senate election this cycle, Florida voters are deciding a special election for the remainder of the term originally held by Senator Marco Rubio, who was elected to the vice presidency in 2022. This race is one of two special elections taking place nationwide, the other being in Ohio for the seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance.

In the Florida special election, Republican incumbent Ashley Moody is on the ballot against Democratic and No Party Affiliation candidates. Moody is competing in a state that President Trump won by 13.1 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The Associated Press notes that the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result in Alaska, highlighting the procedural tensions surrounding these special contests. While the Florida governor's race is also on the ballot, with no incumbent running, the focus for national observers remains on the 33 regular Senate elections and the two special seats that comprise the 35 total seats up for grabs this year.

Nationally, Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, while Democrats hold 45, along with two independents who caucus with the Democratic party. For Democrats to seize a majority, they need a net gain of four seats. Republicans can afford to lose only two seats to maintain their control. Ballotpedia identifies 13 Senate races as battlegrounds, a mix of incumbent defenses and open seats. These include races in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. The ratings from Cook, Decision Desk, Inside Elections, and Sabato indicate that Maine is a toss-up on all four scales, while Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, Michigan, and Georgia are rated as toss-ups or leaning toward one party.

Key matchups in these battlegrounds have drawn significant attention from the Associated Press and PBS NewsHour. In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley in the open seat left by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is running against Representative Mike Collins. The AP notes that economic strain and tariffs have made the race in Maine competitive, where Senator Susan Collins faces former state Senate President Troy Jackson. In Michigan, former Representative Mike Rogers is competing against Abdul El-Sayed, whose former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers on Sunday. The AP also highlights the Texas race, where Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by Trump over Senator John Cornyn, faces Democrat James Talarico.

The mood heading into the vote is described by the Associated Press as a referendum on the president's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already cast their ballots as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans were bracing for potential losses in the House, while Democrats expressed cautious optimism, with both parties acknowledging that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber.

President Trump held dozens of rallies in the final days before the election, concluding his schedule on Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot." His travel itinerary included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Despite the president's active campaigning, many Republican candidates maintained a distance, and Trump continued to make claims about voting fraud, including assertions that noncitizens are voting in large numbers. His administration's legal actions, such as the suits in Alaska and California, have raised concerns among Democrats about potential interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

Financial data suggests that the 2026 elections will likely be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent their Democratic counterparts, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk, while Democrats outspent their opponents at the individual candidate level. AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, while DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said the American people are angry and want change. Local voters, such as Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, expressed support for the president, while others, like librarian James Moore in Raleigh, North Carolina, cited higher taxes and healthcare costs as primary concerns.

Election administration issues have also played a role in the final days. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from implementing a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics said risked disenfranchising eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California officials segregate ballots from suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is closely watching the results, as Reuters notes that the outcome could impact investor confidence regarding AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The stakes are high, as a Democratic win in either chamber could lead to investigations and potential impeachment proceedings, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries potentially becoming the first Black speaker.