Midterm Election Results: How to Find Official Results and Follow Updates

For the 2026 U.S. midterm election, start with your state election office’s results page, then check the county or local election office for contests it administers. The federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) links to state election sites, and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) explains that it does not publish live results or certify them. Treat results posted on election night as unofficial until election officials complete the canvass and certification.

Election Day for the 2026 federal general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Poll hours, reporting schedules, and certification deadlines vary by jurisdiction, and there is no single nationwide time when all results become final. If an official results page displays an update time, use the time zone stated by that office rather than assuming it matches yours.

Where to find official results

1. Open the EAC’s state election directory. Select your state to reach its election office and local election-office directory. Each state administers elections differently, so use the state or local link for the jurisdiction handling your contest.
2. Choose the right level of government. State election pages commonly report federal and statewide contests. For county, city, school-board, or local ballot-measure results, use the county or municipal election office when it is the responsible authority.
3. Check the page’s status and timestamp. Look for labels such as “unofficial,” “updated,” “canvass,” or “certified,” plus notes explaining which ballots or reporting units are included.
4. Follow linked official accounts only as a supplement. A state or county election office’s verified social account can point to an update, but return to its results page to confirm the numbers and status.

The EAC’s results guide directs voters to state election websites. The USAGov state and local elections page also tells readers to contact their state or local office for those results.

Know what the result labels mean

The EAC notes that even results showing “100% Precincts Reporting” remain unofficial until certification. News organizations may project a winner before that process is complete; the EAC says only election officials provide official election results. A results page can be an official government source while the numbers on it are still marked unofficial.

Why totals can change after Election Day

Election officials publish available returns as quickly as possible, then continue processing and counting eligible ballots under state law. Depending on the jurisdiction, later updates may include mail or absentee ballots, provisional ballots, and ballots from military and overseas voters. States set different deadlines and procedures, so the order and timing of updates are not identical nationwide.

After counting, the canvass reconciles election records and confirms that valid ballots are included in the totals. Many states also conduct post-election audits. Officials then certify results; a recount may extend the timeline or change a result under the rules for that contest. The EAC says final results may take several days or, in some cases, weeks.

Hypothetical example: A state dashboard might show most precincts reporting while a county page still lists ballots being processed. Before concluding that the pages conflict, compare their timestamps, the offices responsible for each result, and what each page counts. A reporting percentage may describe precincts or other reporting units, not the share of all ballots counted.

How to follow updates without mistaking a projection for a final result

• Bookmark the state and local results pages. Use the state page for federal and statewide races and the local page for county or municipal contests.
• Read the update notes. Check the timestamp, stated time zone, ballot types included, reporting-unit definition, and whether the figures are preliminary or certified.
• Check the office’s next-step information. Look for its canvass schedule, certification deadline, audit notice, or recount procedure. Dates vary by state and sometimes by local jurisdiction.
• Separate race calls from certification. A news outlet may project a winner based on its analysis, but the election authority still has to complete the official process.
• Use the FEC for background, not live returns. Despite its name, the FEC says it has no jurisdiction over election results. It compiles certified results from past federal elections; current results come from state election offices.

Which office should you use?

If you are checking a House or Senate race, begin with the state election office. If you are checking a mayoral race, school-board seat, county office, or local measure, find the local office responsible for that ballot. When you are unsure, the EAC’s guide to who runs elections in each state explains that elections are usually administered at the county level, with some variation by state and locality.

For the clearest answer to “Who won?”, check whether the relevant election office has certified that contest and whether it lists a recount or other pending step. Until then, describe the numbers as unofficial or preliminary. That approach keeps updates useful, accurate, and tied to the authority responsible for the result.

Sources

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Where do I find election results?”.
• U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Election Results, Canvass, and Certification,” updated July 30, 2026.
• U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Why do election results change after election night? When are election results final?”.
• U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Who is in charge of elections in my state?”.
• Federal Election Commission, “Election results and voting information”.
• USAGov, “State and local elections”.