Karima Bassalé is one of the founders of Relume, a refugee-made candle company based in Olympia, Washington. This National Midterm Elections 2026
You’ve probably noticed an increase of politically themed signs in your neighborhood, ads on radio and TV, and flyers in your mailbox. It’s election season and candidates for local, state, and federal office are hard at work introducing themselves to the voting public.
At World Relief, we are deeply committed to being a nonpartisan yet profoundly compassionate voice for justice. While we never align ourselves with any political party, we do support the political process and encourage every qualified American to exercise their right to vote.
As Christians, we believe our biblical values should shape how we engage with the world around us, calling us to love our neighbors, seek justice and advocate for the dignity of every person, including through the choices we make at the ballot box.
This year we are casting ballots for local referenda, ballot measures, initiatives, propositions and local and state officials. More notably we will elect or re-elect representatives in the House and Senate in what are known as the Midterm Elections.
Midterm elections are held every four years, at the halfway point between presidential elections, landing in the middle of a current president’s four-year term. This year, registered voters will decide who will occupy all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate. There are also elections for governor in 36 states and 3 U.S. territories this fall.
While these elections may not receive the same attention as presidential elections, the decisions made by those elected can have a meaningful impact on our daily lives, our neighbors and the communities we call home.
Who Can Vote in a Midterm Election?
Voting is one of the most important ways that Americans can make their voices heard and help shape the future of their communities. U.S. Citizens, including those who are naturalized, have the privilege of voting in local, state, and national elections beginning at the age of 18. However, you must be registered to vote before casting a ballot and every state requires proof of residency to register.
Non-citizens are not eligible to vote in any federal U.S. election. Some states restrict voting for convicted felons and individuals who have been deemed mentally incompetent by a court.
Every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to make their own voice heard. Assistance may be offered to help a voter who cannot read or write or has limited language proficiency to mark their ballot, but only the voter can decide how to vote. No one can cast a ballot on behalf of another eligible voter.
In states that accept ballots filled out at home, the completed, sealed ballots may be delivered to a polling place or drop box by someone else. Several states restrict this by designating specific individuals to do the drop off and/or limiting the number of ballots that one person can handle.
U.S. citizens who live outside the United States including service members may vote through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Who Runs the Election?
The Constitution gives each state the primary authority to administer elections which is why things may look different depending on where you live. According to Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, “the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.”
States decide how and where voters can cast their ballots including in person on Election Day, early in-person voting prior to November 3rd, voting by mail or by dropping a ballot at a drop box, and curbside voting, offered to voters with disabilities.
Find out where and how to vote in your state on the website for your Secretary of State’s office.
When Do I Vote?
For most registered voters, you don’t have to wait until November 3 to cast your ballot. 47 states plus Washington, D.C. offer no-excuse early in-person voting. Early voting periods vary widely by state and can range from 3 to 46 days before Election Day.
Eight states conduct all-mail elections while also offering in-person voting.
Why Does it Take So Long to Count Ballots?
Election integrity is essential to free and fair elections. Ensuring every vote is counted fairly and accurately is an important responsibility. While many of us hope to know election results on election night, the process of counting and verifying ballots can take time.
Mail-in and absentee ballots must be verified even before the sealed ballot is opened. In some states ballots received after Election Day can be included in the count. Provisional ballots, which are completed by voters whose eligibility may be in question, are not counted until they are confirmed as qualified to vote. Defective ballots that may be missing some information or a mismatched signature must be corrected.
In close races, additional steps such as recounts may be required or requested. States also conduct election audits to help verify results. These processes can take time, sometimes involving ballots being counted by hand.
Why Should I Vote?
Every election matters. In a democratic form of government, citizens have the privilege and the right to have a say in the direction of the country. We have the opportunity that others around the world may not get to choose local, state, and national leaders who represent the values Jesus showed us through the Scriptures. The decisions our elected officials make have a significant impact on all of us including those who are vulnerable to great crises, both in the United States and globally.
Since our founding 80 years ago World Relief has actively encouraged all our lawmakers to pursue public policies guided by biblical principles. As we’ve done with every administration, we will continue to work with the next group of newly elected officials through advocacy and prayer.
During this election season, prayerfully consider your choices and as we are commanded in 1 Timothy 2:2 NLT, pray for “kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:2 NLT)