On November 5, voters won’t only choose the next U.S. president. They’ll also decide the winners of many other races across the country.
This Year’s Other Big Races
The presidential election is just one of many to watch on Election Day.
Some of the most important races will be for Congress. That’s the branch of the U.S. government that writes the nation’s laws. Congress has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both chambers meet in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
There are 435 positions, called seats, in the House of Representatives. The number of seats per state is based on population. States with more people elect more representatives. They serve a two-year term. The number of House seats per state is shown on this map. All 435 seats are up for grabs this year.
The U.S. Senate has 100 members. Each state elects two senators, who serve six-year terms. This year, 34 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election. Those races are shown on this map.
Both main political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, want to gain control of Congress. If one party holds a majority in both chambers of Congress, it could have an easier time passing the bills it wants.
A governor is the head of each state’s government. In 48 states, the governor serves a four-year term. In Vermont and New Hampshire, the term is two years. This map shows the 11 states that are electing a governor this year.
Plus, thousands of other state and local elections are happening across the country. Though the presidential race gets the most attention, the races taking place closer to home could have just as big an impact on your life.
Illustration by Dave Perillo (race background); Shutterstock.com (runners, Capitol); Jim McMahon/Mapman® (maps)
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