Voters across five US states and the District of Columbia go to the polls on Tuesday for primary elections that will determine key matchups for the November 2026 midterm elections.

The states voting include Alabama, California, Georgia, and Oklahoma, along with DC. The primaries span races for the US House, Senate seats where applicable, governorships, and state legislatures.

Key Races to Watch

Voters casting ballots at a US midterm primary polling station
  • California: Several competitive House districts with crowded primary fields under the top-two system
  • Georgia: A closely watched Senate primary in a state that has become a fierce political battleground
  • Alabama: Conservative candidates compete where the Republican primary effectively decides most races

Political Context

The June 16 primaries are among the first major contests of the 2026 midterm cycle. They arrive at a moment of significant political flux — with a new Fed chair, ongoing fallout from the Iran peace deal, and early positioning for the 2028 presidential election already underway.

See also: US-Iran Peace Deal · Elon Musk Trillionaire

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