WASHINGTON– America Votes Executive Director Daria C. Dawson issued the following statement regarding the results of the 2026 midterm elections, as voters elected new pro-democracy majorities in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate and made history in races across the country.

“The story of tonight is clear: the map is expanding, and voters everywhere are mobilized and ready to fight back.

“In this historic election, the American people sent a clear message that our country is not on the right track, but voters are ready to change its direction. Despite deliberate efforts to spread disinformation, create confusion, and intimidate voters,  voters turned out to stand up for their communities, their rights, and their values.

“In this historic election, voters delivered pro-democracy majorities in both chambers of Congress. Even where races fall short, the ground is shifting. In places like Florida, Arkansas, and beyond, pro-democracy candidates came within striking distance of victory in races once considered out of reach. That was unheard of not long ago, and organizing made the difference.

“These results are a rebuke of anyone who fails to stand with everyday Americans, anyone who challenges the right to vote, and anyone who seeks to undermine our democracy.  Together, millions of voters elected governors who champion fair maps and fair representation, and a Congress who will work to protect it.”

“The victories we saw tonight are also a reminder of what sustained organizing can make possible. Voters are everywhere. Elections are everywhere. And when organizations invest in meaningful engagement, listen to communities, and have the flexibility to go deeper or move where opportunities emerge, the map can change.

“Now the work turns to restoring and advancing voting rights, including restoring the strength of the Voting Rights Act, so that every eligible American can make their voice heard in every election to come. That is the power of participation, and the power of making sure voters everywhere have the opportunity to be heard.”

Additional Background: 

This year, partners of the America Votes coalition mobilized in districts across the country, including places too often left out of the national conversation. Our partners targeted voters in 39 states, and tonight, we are seeing pro-democracy champions elected at every level of government – including in districts that many had written off or never expected to be competitive.

The America Votes coalition demonstrated its impact, speaking to millions of voters including:

• 10.7M conversations  – doors, phone, relational/site based

• 23.7 million knocks  and 4 million conversations at the door

• 32.6 million dials and 2.6 million  conversations by phones

• 3.3 million relational or site based conversations.

2026 delivered major wins for democracy: 

• Voters flipped the U.S. House beyond expectations and won the U.S. Senate, something many said was not possible. In what was once considered the ruby-red South, voters pushed back and elected pro-democracy candidates in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

• For the first time since 2005, a pro-democracy candidate will represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

•  In Georgia, voters flipped the governor’s office and elected Keisha Lance Bottoms,  the first Black woman governor in the history of our country

• Outside of the South, voters continued making history. Iowa voters flipped their governor’s office. In New Hampshire, voters held a U.S. Senate seat and elected the first openly gay man to the U.S. Senate.

• Voters also elected the first Indigenous woman to the U.S. Senate and the first Indigenous woman governor and, we are watching the race which may elect the first Muslim U.S. Senator in our nation’s history. And as more votes are counted, we expect to witness even more historic moments.

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America Votes works year-round to build a more representative democracy. We are the central coordination hub of the progressive community across the country, working with more than 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, expand the electorate, and protect every American’s right to vote.