Midterm elections in the United States are held in early November of even‑numbered years, with Election Day set by law as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Basic timing

  • Midterm general elections happen every four years, in the middle of a president’s four‑year term (e.g., 2022, 2026, 2030).
  • Federal Election Day in those years is always the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which fixes the formal “start” of midterm voting nationwide.

Primaries and “start” of the cycle

  • Practically, midterms “start” months earlier with party primaries, which select each party’s nominees; these primary dates vary by state and typically run from about March through September of the midterm year.
  • Some states also have runoffs or special elections before November, so voters may see midterm‑related ballots several times during the year.

Next midterm cycle example

  • In the upcoming 2026 midterms, the general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
  • All 435 House seats and roughly one‑third of Senate seats will be on the ballot that day, alongside many state and local races.

If you want the exact “start date” for your state’s midterm primaries, check your state election office’s calendar for the midterm year.