Voters in Charlotte and Concord weigh in on open Senate race and national midterms

Polls in Mecklenburg County opened at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and will remain open until 7:30 p.m., according to Ballotpedia. Residents in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, and Indian Trail are heading to their assigned polling places to vote in the midterm elections. The day marks the halfway point of President Donald Trump's second term, with the results determining which party controls Congress for his final two years in office.

North Carolina voters are choosing a new U.S. Senator in an open seat, as incumbent Thom Tillis retired after clashing with the president. The Associated Press identifies the race as a key matchup, featuring Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. The state also has three ballot measures on the ballot, including one that would require photographic identification to vote for all voters, not just those voting in person, as noted by Ballotpedia. There is no governor election in North Carolina this year, but every U.S. House seat in the state is on the ballot.

Beyond the state line, voters in nine other states are deciding the fate of U.S. Senate seats that will determine the balance of power in Washington. In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff faces Republican Representative Mike Collins in a race that polling organizations rate as leaning or likely Democratic. In Ohio, the special election features Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown against Republican Senator Jon Husted. The Associated Press notes that these matchups are critical as both parties fight to maintain or gain a majority in the chamber.

Michigan voters are selecting a successor to retiring Senator Gary Peters, with Republican former Representative Mike Rogers competing against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. On Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent, Haley Stevens, endorsed Rogers, according to the Associated Press. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was backed by President Trump over Senator John Cornyn in the primary, faces Democrat James Talarico. The state's new congressional map, resulting from mid-decade redistricting, adds a layer of complexity to the race, as noted by Ballotpedia.

Maine presents another pivotal contest, where Senator Susan Collins faces Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The Associated Press reports that economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive, with all four major ratings services currently calling it a toss-up. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas challenges former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat vacated by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The race is seen as a bellwether for Democratic prospects in traditionally competitive northern states.

Minnesota voters are choosing among four candidates for the seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith, including Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster. Kansas, a reliably Republican state, has become central to the fight for Senate control, with the Associated Press highlighting its importance in the national tally. In Alaska, the race involves a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration related to the certification of the Senate result, adding a procedural wrinkle to the contest in a state where polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

North of the border, the mood in North Carolina is shaped by a national referendum on the presidency. The Associated Press describes the election as a struggle with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. According to AP-NORC polling, 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about seven in ten say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states, according to the Associated Press.

Voters in Mecklenburg County are part of a national trend where Democrats are cautiously optimistic while Republicans brace for potential losses in the House. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber. In North Carolina, the open Senate seat is a key target for Democrats, who need a net gain of four seats for a majority. Republicans hold 53 Senate seats currently, and can lose only two to keep control, according to Ballotpedia. The winners will begin six-year terms on January 3, 2027.

The election is also being watched by Wall Street, with Reuters noting that results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time, according to Reuters. In North Carolina, the state uses a new congressional map after mid-decade redistricting, which may affect how districts vote in the House races. The AP notes that many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during the final stretch, with Trump holding dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas.

Voters in Raleigh, North Carolina, have expressed concerns about the cost of living. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian, told the Associated Press that he is paying more for taxes, healthcare, and everything else. In contrast, Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump the whole time and thinks he is doing an awesome job. The Associated Press reports that if Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries outlining a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight.

The day concludes with polls closing at 7:30 p.m. in North Carolina, where anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, according to USA.gov. The results will determine who controls Congress for the next two years and set the stage for the 2028 presidential race. With the stakes high and the national mood divided, voters across Mecklenburg County and the rest of the state are making their final choices in a historic midterm election.