Breaking: Election Day is here! Make your selections for Pinellas County

Voters across Pinellas County will head to the polls this morning to participate in the 2026 midterm elections. In Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Largo, and Pinellas Park, polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones, so residents should verify their specific location. Anyone who is in line when polls close at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. You can find your specific polling place at vote.gov or through your state election office. ID rules vary by state, so check your rules before heading out.

This is a critical moment for the nation as we are halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The results of today's vote will determine who controls Congress for his final two years. According to the Associated Press, this election serves as a referendum on the president's performance. Voters are reported to be struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states.

Florida voters have a significant choice on the ballot for governor. This is an open seat as no incumbent is running. The parties on the ballot include the Democratic, Libertarian, No Party Affiliation, and Republican parties. The Associated Press describes the Florida governor's race as competitive. Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades. Republicans have held a majority of governorships since 2010. In the other competitive races, the AP notes that Texas and Iowa are also seen as close governor races.

Every U.S. House seat in the state is on the ballot. Additionally, state and local offices and measures that vary by county are up for decision. There is no U.S. Senate election in Florida this year. The national race for the House involves all 435 seats. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214. There is one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to achieve a majority. Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts in the House race.

The Senate race involves 35 of the 100 seats. This includes 33 regular elections and two special elections for the rest of the terms Marco Rubio and JD Vance were elected to in 2022. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority. Republicans can lose only two seats. Eleven senators are not running again. Winners will begin their six-year terms on January 3, 2027. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip the balance of power in either chamber.

Six states are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting. These states are California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ohio is also using a new map. Republicans tried to beat the midterm pattern of a president's party losing seats through redistricting. However, new districts in Florida and elsewhere may not vote as drawn. The AP notes that Democrats are cautiously optimistic while Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate.

Key Senate matchups include North Carolina, where Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Ohio features a race between Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Michigan sees Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Texas has Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton facing Democrat James Talarico. Maine features Sen. Susan Collins against Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. New Hampshire has Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas facing former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu.

The mood in the country is tense. AP-NORC polling shows that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. Only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most blame the president for high prices. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout. DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said the American people are angry and want change. Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told voters to pretend he is on the ballot.

Money is playing a large role in this election. The 2026 elections will likely be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees. This was helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more.

Administrative issues have also arisen. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics say this risks disenfranchising eligible voters. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Reuters notes that Wall Street is watching for more than control of Congress, as results could affect investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda. A strong Democratic night would boost potential 2028 candidates Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. It could also complicate Vice President JD Vance's path. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has sued in Alaska and California. Democrats fear interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

Voter sentiment is mixed. Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump the whole time and thinks he is doing an awesome job. James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, stated he is paying more taxes and more for healthcare. These views reflect the broader national mood. As polls open today, the focus is on what voters are doing and what is being decided. The results will shape the next two years of the administration and the direction of the country. Stay in line and vote today to make your selections count.