When are US elections held?

#The 2-4-6 pattern

• 2 years: the term of a US representative. All 435 voting seats in the House are on the ballot in every regular federal election.
• 4 years: the term of the president and the vice president, who are chosen for the same term.
• 6 years: the term of a US senator. Senators are split into 3 groups, so about one-third of the seats are on the ballot every 2 years.

#Presidential years and midterms

Presidential elections are held every fourth year, in years divisible by four, such as 2024 and 2028. The congressional election halfway between them is called the midterm. The most recent midterm was held on November 3, 2026. Under federal law, the next presidential election falls on November 7, 2028. House and Senate seats are on the ballot in both kinds of years.

#State calendars differ

Many state races share the November ballot with federal races, but not all. In every state except New Hampshire and Vermont, the governor serves a 4-year term. Those 2 states elect a governor every 2 years. A few states choose governors in odd-numbered years: Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi did in 2023, and New Jersey and Virginia did in 2025. In most states, state senators serve 4 years and state representatives serve 2.

#Local elections and other dates

Cities, counties, school districts and local courts can hold elections in any year, on dates set by state and local law. Primaries are held earlier in the year, on dates that differ from state to state. Special elections fill seats that open up early. When a US House seat becomes vacant, for example, the governor must call an election to fill it, whatever the year.