Several Races Too Close to Call

More than a week after Americans went to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections, several important races remain undecided, leaving Republicans and Democrats waiting for final results that could further reshape the balance of power in Washington.

Although Democrats have already secured control of both chambers of Congress, a number of closely contested Senate and House races have yet to produce a clear winner. Election officials are continuing to process outstanding ballots, while some states face the possibility of recounts and legal challenges.

The unresolved contests include Republican-held Senate seats in Mississippi and Alaska, along with several competitive House districts across the country.

Mississippi Senate Race Remains Uncertain

One of the most closely watched contests involves Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is fighting to retain her Mississippi Senate seat against Democratic challenger Scott Colom.

As of Tuesday afternoon, November 10, Colom held a narrow advantage of approximately 2,600 votes. However, outstanding absentee and provisional ballots could still influence the final outcome.

Mississippi election officials are working through thousands of ballots that require additional verification.

Secretary of State Michael Watson reported Monday that approximately 14,200 provisional ballots had been processed, with roughly 80% accepted. Another 2,700 absentee ballots had not yet been returned.

Counties face a Friday deadline to submit certified results to the state, with final statewide certification scheduled for December 3.

Mississippi’s election laws could also complicate matters. The state does not provide automatic recounts or allow candidates to request recounts directly. Instead, a court order is required.

For Hyde-Smith and her Republican supporters, the remaining vote count will determine whether the GOP can hold a Senate seat in a state that has traditionally favored Republicans.

Alaska Senate Race Also Too Close to Call

Another major political battle is unfolding in Alaska, where Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is attempting to hold off Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.

Peltola was leading Sullivan by approximately 2,500 votes Tuesday afternoon, with an estimated 76% of ballots counted.

Unlike many other states, Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, a system that allows voters to rank candidates according to preference.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the initial vote, additional rounds of counting determine the winner.

With Peltola still short of an outright majority, the election could require another round of tabulation beginning November 18.

Alaska also allows certain absentee ballots from overseas to arrive through that date, extending the counting process.

The state is targeting November 25 for certification.

The outcome will determine whether Republicans retain another Senate seat or Democrats add to their newly secured majority.

Several House Seats Still Undecided

The uncertainty extends beyond the Senate, with more than a dozen House races remaining unresolved.

North Carolina has emerged as a particularly important battleground, with four House contests still awaiting final decisions. Each involves a Republican incumbent attempting to defend a seat.

Candidates in North Carolina can request recounts when the difference between opponents is no more than 1% of the total votes cast.

In South Carolina, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson is facing an unexpectedly close challenge from Democrat Zyon Khalia in the state’s 2nd Congressional District.

Wilson held an advantage of approximately 3,000 votes with nearly all ballots counted, but a recount was underway.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais is involved in an extremely tight contest against Democrat Victoria Broderick in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District.

Only about 300 votes separated the candidates Tuesday afternoon, demonstrating just how consequential a relatively small number of ballots can become.

Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District was similarly close, with roughly 300 votes separating the leading candidates.

California also has outstanding congressional races, although several involve two Democratic candidates competing against each other. The state’s 23rd Congressional District is among the contests that could still affect the partisan makeup of the House.

Governor Races Could Bring More Surprises

Two gubernatorial elections also remain unsettled.

In Kansas, Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher holds a narrow lead over Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson.

The margin is less than one percentage point, prompting a state-mandated audit involving hand-counted ballots.

Election officials must complete the audit before the November 16 county certification deadline.

Alaska’s governor race is also unresolved.

Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins leads Republican Bernadette Wilson, but neither candidate had secured a majority as of Tuesday afternoon.

Because Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, additional tabulation may be necessary before the winner can be determined.

Republicans Await Final Results After Major Election Setbacks

The remaining contests come after Democrats secured substantial gains during the November 3 midterm elections.

As of Tuesday, Democrats had won 255 House seats, enough to establish their largest House majority since the 2008 election cycle.

Democrats were also positioned to control at least 54 Senate seats when the new Congress convenes in January, with the possibility of additional pickups in Mississippi and Alaska.

For Republicans, the results represent a significant political setback during President Donald Trump’s second term.

The shift in congressional control could affect the administration’s ability to advance legislation on taxes, immigration, federal spending, energy policy, and other major priorities.

A Democratic-controlled Congress could also pursue increased oversight of the Trump administration, setting the stage for additional political battles in Washington.

Final Ballot Counts Will Determine the Outcome

While the overall balance of congressional power has already been decided, the remaining elections will determine how large the Democratic majorities become.

Election officials must follow different counting, recount, and certification requirements depending on state law. Those procedures can extend well beyond Election Day, particularly when margins are extremely narrow.

For voters concerned about election integrity, the outstanding races underscore the importance of accurate ballot processing, transparent reporting, and adherence to established election procedures.

Republican and Democratic candidates alike have a strong interest in ensuring that eligible ballots are properly counted and that final results reflect the votes cast.

With several congressional seats and two governorships still unsettled, the political picture following the 2026 midterms is not yet complete.

The remaining vote counts could determine the political futures of several longtime Republican officeholders while shaping the balance of power in Washington for the next two years.