US Midterms 2026
America Votes: What to Watch as the Midterm Polls Close
All 435 House seats, 35 Senate races and 36 governorships are on the ballot. Here is how to read the night.
By Daniel Osei
World
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US Midterms 2026
Why Every House Seat Is on the Ballot Again
Two-year terms mean that the whole chamber faces voters, while only about a third of the Senate does. A short guide.
By Daniel Osei
US Midterms 2026
Why Some Races May Take Days to Call
Mail ballots, signature checks and provisional votes all take time. A slow count is not a sign of trouble.
By Daniel Osei
US Midterms 2026
Who Actually Counts the Votes?
Much of an American election is run by local officials and temporary workers. Meet the people behind the folding tables.
By Daniel Osei
US Midterms 2026
Why Turnout Usually Falls in a Midterm
Fewer people vote when there is no presidential race at the top of the ballot. Researchers explain why, and what changes it.
By Daniel Osei
World Politics
How the UN Chooses Its Next Secretary-General
The current term ends this December. The selection runs through the Security Council, and it has grown a little more open.
By Daniel Osei
World Politics
What a Security Council Veto Really Does
Five permanent members can each stop a resolution. Here is what that power covers, and what it leaves untouched.
By Daniel Osei
World Politics
Why Forming a Government Can Take Months in Europe
Proportional voting produces coalitions, and coalitions need long negotiations. It is slower than it looks from outside, by design.
By Daniel Osei
World Politics
Inside the Long Road From Treaty to Law
Signing is the part that makes the news. Ratification is where agreements can quietly stall for years.
By Daniel Osei
World Politics
What Does a Diplomat Actually Do All Day?
Fewer cocktail parties than you may think, and a great many more visa queues, trade fairs and very long reports.
By Daniel Osei
