With days remaining before the 2026 midterm elections, election workers are already handling ballots and television networks are assembling historic programming slates to track what could be an extended vote-counting process. The elections will decide control of both chambers of Congress, dozens of governorships, and ballot referendums on matters including abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and taxes on billionaires, NPR reported.
Voting procedures vary widely across states, meaning final tallies will emerge on differing timetables. In Washington state, which operates an all-mail voting system, workers at the King County Elections facility in Renton began processing submitted ballot envelopes on Oct. 23, according to NPR. Because mail-in ballots require signature verification and physical handling, counting in states reliant on postal voting frequently extends beyond election night.
Networks brace for massive data intake
Facing high public interest and intense competition from digital creators, major media companies are launching their largest midterm coverage operations to date, Deadline reported. The cycle is seen as both a referendum on Donald Trump and a decisive verdict on leadership in Washington and state capitals.
NBC News has scheduled 13 hours of continuous coverage on its primary broadcast network, starting at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday and continuing until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The broadcast represents the network’s longest continuous midterm broadcast ever. Hallie Jackson, an NBC News anchor, told Deadline that network decision desks will need to stay nimble as numbers stream in, cautioning that outcomes cannot be forecast until precincts report actual totals.
To assist in analyzing voter behavior, major television networks will share the same survey service for the first time since 2016. The Voter Poll, conducted by SSRS, will gather responses across 45 states that feature either a Senate contest or a gubernatorial race, Deadline reported. ABC News Live executive Seni Tienabeso told the outlet that newsrooms face an unprecedented volume of incoming figures that must be verified and explained responsibly.
Expanding to streaming and podcasts
Alongside conventional television broadcasts, newsrooms are deploying specialized digital broadcasts to cater to data-driven audiences. CBS News is introducing a streaming program called “The Nerd Show” on its CBS News 24/7 service, led by Anthony Salvanto and Caitlin Huey-Burns, to dig into real-time models. CNN will provide around-the-clock broadcasts beginning at midnight Eastern time on Tuesday, while Fox News plans an interactive artificial intelligence assistant inside its mobile application.
Other channels are leaning on distinct data partnerships and formats. NewsNation is partnering with Decision Desk HQ to offer fast updates across races, according to politics editor Chris Stirewalt. C-SPAN plans to complement its main channel coverage by simulcasting programs from popular independent political hosts, including The Young Turks and Patrick Bet-David’s podcast, CEO Sam Feist told Deadline.
Election officials across the country continue to review early submissions as polling places prepare for regular in-person voters on Tuesday. Because close margins and mail-in volume often require hours or days to tally accurately, decision desks plan to hold projections until verifiable margins emerge.
