Where Major Elections Will Be Held in 2026

More than 40 countries are expected to hold (or have already held) national elections in 2026, representing over 1.5 billion people worldwide and making it another pivotal year for democracy across the globe. From established democracies to more fragile political systems, several high‑stakes votes are set to shape both domestic trajectories and international relations.

Among the most closely watched elections are the U.S. midterm elections in November, which will determine control of Congress, as well as Brazil’s general election in October, where voters will elect a president, legislature and state governments. In Europe, Hungary’s election will test Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s long hold on power in April, while in the Middle East, Israel is set to hold a closely contested legislative election by October, against a backdrop of ongoing political and regional tensions. Also scheduled this year, Russia’s legislative election (State Duma) is, for its part, unlikely to produce a competitive or unexpected outcome, reflecting the country’s highly restricted political environment and limited space for genuine opposition.