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For many San Marin High School seniors, the 2026 United States national midterm elections will be their first time voting. Election day is Nov. 3, and many students are wondering what will be on the ballot.
According to the official United States website, the midterm elections occur halfway through a president’s four-year term. During this time, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for reelection. These representatives serve two-year terms, representing different congressional districts. Voters in the midterm election will also vote for roughly one-third of the seats in the Senate. Senators serve six-year terms, and there are two senators per state. During midterm elections, state and local elections, such as for the state legislature and governor, are equally as important as federal elections.
While many students understand the importance of voting in the upcoming midterm election, some feel bombarded with information.
“Right now, [voting] stresses me out, [because] a lot of stuff is not good, and there is a feeling that no one is good,” senior Olivia Carlomagno said. “I think voting is important, even if many people think it doesn’t matter. I feel like we’ve seen a lot of small leadership roles become important.”
Government, U.S. History, and AVID teacher Evan Massey believes the best way to start is by researching topics rather than focusing on a political party.
“Start with the issue, not the party,” Massey said. “Think about things that you care about: education, cost of living, job market, housing, transportation or [artificial intelligence (AI)]…Figure out where you stand on the issue. Then find out which candidate [or candidates] align with you.”
When it comes to ensuring information is factual, Massey believes that there are many websites that provide accurate information and voting records.
“There are hundreds of fact-checking websites you can seek — Wikipedia has them listed by country,” Massey said. “I’d be careful turning to AI for a synopsis of truths [or] lies. Find websites that can provide excerpts of speeches, video footage, or voting records of candidates. Never trust a single resource.”
Voting is how people influence decisions made about the country. For many first-time voters, the process of registering to vote may seem overwhelming, but it is a key step to ensure that young people’s voices are heard. The easiest way to register to vote is by going to the official California State website and searching “register to vote.” Click on the first result, then click “launch service.” Users will be taken to a page where they can choose to either register to vote as an 18-year-old or pre-register for 16 and 17-year-olds. First-time voters will need a few documents and personal information to register, including the last four digits of their Social Security number, as well as a driver’s license or state identification card.
After completing and submitting the form, a confirmation email will be sent out from the California Secretary of State. Once the California Secretary of State has processed the application, registered people will receive a Voter Notification Card via mail.
