The 2026 generic ballot
The generic ballot asks which party you'd vote for in your House race, without naming candidates. It's the best national read on the mood of a midterm.
Final average
D+7.5
Actual House vote
–
Races called
0 / 435
Generic ballot over time
858 polls · 21-day rolling average · dots are individual polls
Dem 51%
Rep 43.5%
View data as table
| Choice | Latest average | Polls | Latest poll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dem | 51% | 858 | 11/2/2026 |
| Rep | 43.5% | 858 | 11/2/2026 |
The national House vote since 2000
| Year | Democrats | Republicans | Margin | Seats D–R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47.2% | 49.7% | R+2.5 | 215–220 |
| 2022 | 47.3% | 50.0% | R+2.7 | 213–222 |
| 2020 | 50.3% | 47.2% | D+3.1 | 222–212 |
| 2018 | 52.9% | 44.3% | D+8.6 | 235–199 |
| 2016 | 47.3% | 48.3% | R+1.0 | 194–241 |
| 2014 | 44.9% | 50.7% | R+5.8 | 188–247 |
| 2012 | 48.4% | 47.1% | D+1.3 | 201–234 |
| 2010 | 44.8% | 51.4% | R+6.6 | 193–242 |
| 2008 | 52.9% | 42.4% | D+10.5 | 257–178 |
| 2006 | 52.0% | 44.1% | D+7.9 | 233–202 |
| 2004 | 46.6% | 49.2% | R+2.6 | 201–233 |
| 2002 | 45.0% | 49.6% | R+4.6 | 205–229 |
| 2000 | 47.0% | 47.3% | R+0.3 | 212–221 |
Winning the national vote doesn't guarantee a majority: in 2012, Democrats won more House votes, but Republicans won more seats.
All generic ballot polls → · Generic ballot in the glossary · Poll accuracy
2026 vote: the sum of votes in House races in our results; districts with no opponent or two candidates from one party skew it somewhat. History: Ballotpedia, from Clerk of the House figures.