Voters in 36 States Pick Governors
Gubernatorial elections on November 3, 2026, could shift party control in several states, with Republicans holding 26 governorships and Democrats 24 entering Election Day.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Voters in 36 states cast ballots to elect governors on November 3, 2026. Each party is defending 18 seats, and several races could shift control of governor's offices between the parties.
Why it matters
The results will help determine the balance of power in state governments during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term and ahead of the 2028 presidential election. The contests could also produce several historic firsts.
Republicans hold 26 governorships and Democrats hold 24, with each party defending 18 seats across the 36 states voting this year. The outcome of the races is not yet known, and Alaska's ranked-choice count could extend past Election Day if no candidate wins a first-choice majority.
The players
Greg Abbott
Republican governor of Texas, seeking a third re-election, who has held the office since 2015.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Republican candidate for Ohio governor, a businessman and former presidential candidate running to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine.
Amy Acton
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor and former director of the Ohio Department of Health.
Deb Haaland
Democratic candidate for New Mexico governor and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Joe Lombardo
Republican governor of Nevada, seeking re-election in a competitive race.
The details
Contests include Republican Gov. Greg Abbott seeking re-election in Texas, where Republicans have held the governor's office since 1995, and an open Ohio seat where Democrat Amy Acton faces Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms could become the first Black woman elected governor, while in New Mexico, Democrat Deb Haaland could become the first Native American woman to hold the office.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Gubernatorial elections held in 36 states.
6 p.m. EST: Polls begin closing in Indiana and Kentucky.
7 p.m. EST: Polls close in Georgia.
Political Context
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek faces a rematch from 2022, when she defeated Republican Christine Drazan, making this race a direct continuation of that prior contest. The outcome will show whether the 2022 result holds for the same candidates in a second cycle.
Whichever party wins these governorships will set state policy on taxes, budgets, and regulation for residents across the country during the next four years. Voters in the 36 states holding races can directly shape which party runs their state government.
The takeaway
Governor races often shape state policy more directly than national contests, so checking the candidates in your state before Election Day gives you a clear view of who will set local rules for the next four years. Keep an eye on Alaska's count, since its ranked-choice system can take longer to produce a final result.
What happens next
Alaska's ranked-choice count could extend beyond Election Day if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, so the final winner in that race may not be known on November 3.
Further reading
For more on how these races fit into the broader contest for state leadership, see Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UPI.
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