Robin Woodward
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Five Presidents Who Won the White House Without Winning the Popular Vote
It has happened five times. Here’s how John Quincy Adams, Rutherford Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, George W. Bush and Donald Trump each won the presidency while losing the popular vote.
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The Closest Elections in American History
From an electoral tie in 1800 to a six-vote House race in 2020, these are the elections that came down to almost nothing — and what changed because of them.
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The Midterm Penalty: Why the President’s Party Almost Always Loses Seats
Since World War II, the president’s party has gained House seats in only two midterm elections. A look at the pattern, the exceptions and the theories behind it.
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How a Discharge Petition Works — and Why It Rarely Succeeds
A discharge petition lets a House majority force a vote over leadership’s objections. Here’s how it works, why most fail, and what the 2025 Epstein files petition showed.
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How Election Recounts Work, and How Often They Change the Winner
Recount rules are set state by state. Here’s what triggers one, how it’s done, and what 24 years of data say about how often recounts flip a result.
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What Happens After Election Day: Counting, Canvassing and Certification
Election night results are unofficial. Here’s how votes are counted, checked and certified in the weeks after a midterm, and why some races take days to call.
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The 2026 Midterms: What’s on the Ballot and What to Know Before You Vote
Election Day is November 3, 2026. Every House seat, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships are on the ballot. A plain-language guide to the stakes, the forecasts and how to vote.
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The Senate Races That Will Decide Control in 2026
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win the Senate. A state-by-state guide to the races that will decide it, with current forecaster ratings as of October 14, 2026.