Pinellas voters choose new governor and House reps in tight national race

Polls across Pinellas County opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as residents in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo, and Pinellas Park began casting ballots in the midterm elections. Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones, but the statewide poll hours remain consistent from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Voters can find their specific polling locations through vote.gov or their local election office. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, ensuring that late arrivals are not turned away. This election determines the balance of power in the U.S. Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term.

In the state race for governor, Florida voters face an open seat with no incumbent running. According to Ballotpedia, the parties on the ballot include the Democratic, Libertarian, No Party Affiliation, and Republican parties. This race is part of a national contest where 36 governorships are up for grabs. Heading into the election, Republicans hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats 24. Democrats need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a status Republicans have held since 2010. The Associated Press identifies Florida as one of the competitive governor races, alongside Texas and Iowa.

Every U.S. House seat in Florida is on the ballot, along with state and local offices and measures that vary by county. The national House race involves all 435 seats, with Republicans currently holding 218 seats and Democrats holding 214, plus one independent. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, meaning Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts nationwide, split between 25 held by Democrats and 21 held by Republicans. Six states, including Florida, are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting, which may alter how these districts vote compared to previous cycles.

The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on President Trump's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals of four years ago in many closely watched states. This high volume of early voting suggests a significant turnout that could influence the final outcome in tight races.

In the U.S. Senate, 35 of 100 seats are up for election, including 33 regular elections and two special elections. Florida is holding a special election for the remainder of the term that Senator Marco Rubio was elected to in 2022. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority, while Republicans can lose only two. The Associated Press notes that Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, with one or two seats potentially tipping either chamber. Democrats have been described as cautiously optimistic about their chances.

The election is also marked by significant financial activity, with the 2026 elections likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more, indicating a strategy focused on protecting key Republican strongholds.

Voters in Pinellas County are also weighing in on statewide ballot measures, including Amendment 1 regarding budget stabilization, Amendment 2 concerning agriculture and tax exemptions, and Amendment 3 on local government property taxes. These measures address issues such as increasing funds in the budget stabilization fund and exempting agricultural property from taxes. The outcome of these votes could have direct financial impacts on local governments and residents in towns like Tarpon Springs and Largo. Local elections for school boards and municipal governments are also taking place, with results varying by county.

The mood among voters is mixed, with many citing cost of living as a primary concern. Voter James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, stated that he is paying more for taxes, healthcare, and everything else. In contrast, voter Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump the whole time and believes he is doing an awesome job. These sentiments reflect the broader national debate over economic performance and presidential leadership. The Associated Press notes that many Republican candidates kept their distance from President Trump during his recent rallies, which ended in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to pretend he was on the ballot.

Administrative challenges have also impacted the election, with a federal judge temporarily barring the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue that this move risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states' authority over elections. Another judge 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, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. These legal and logistical developments add layers of complexity to the election process, particularly in states with high mail-in voting rates.