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While the presidential election gets most of the spotlight, some of the most impactful decisions in government are made during the midterms. From determining which party controls Congress to electing the local officials who shape your daily life, midterm elections are a crucial part of our democratic process.
Whether you’re a first-time voter, an educator looking for classroom resources, or simply want a refresher on how it all works, this FAQ guide breaks down what midterms are, why they matter, and how you can get involved.
What is a midterm election?
A midterm election is a general election held near the midpoint of a president’s four-year term. In the United States, voters cast ballots for all 435 members of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the 100 members of the Senate.
Many state and local races also take place during midterms, such as those for governor, state legislature, county commissioners, and school board seats.
When are the midterm elections?
By law, Election Day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Midterm elections occur every even-numbered year that does not have a presidential election.
What is the purpose of midterm elections?
Midterm elections are held near the midpoint of a president’s four-year term and serve several distinct purposes:
How do I teach midterm elections?
Midterms are designed to keep the government responsive to the changing views of the electorate. Because the entire House of Representatives is up for election every two years, the make-up of the chamber can shift quickly based on public sentiment.
iCivics offers free, nonpartisan games and vetted teaching resources for K-12 to turn the 2026 Midterms into a masterclass in democracy—giving you the peace of mind to teach tough topics with confidence. You can find our full curated collection of Election Resources.
One key way to introduce your students to the electoral process is Cast Your Vote, which puts students in the driver’s seat of an election. It’s a highly engaging way to teach students how to research candidates and issues before heading to the polls.
July 4 may get a lot of shine, but civics teachers know that September 17 is worth its own celebration. “While we reference the Constitution throughout the course,” says AP US Government and Politics teacher Jennifer Klein, “having one dedicated, joy-filled day to set work aside and simply celebrate our nation’s foundational framework is something I look forward to every year.”
Here are some of the ways teachers across the country are using Constitution Day 2026 to bring the nation’s founding document to life.
Jennifer Klein
Fox Chapel Area High School – Pittsburgh, PA
As my students already know, Constitution Day is hands-down my favorite day of the school year! While our specific festivities change every year to match where we are in our curriculum, a few beloved traditions always make the cut. We kick things off with a collective reading of the Preamble, team up for a “Goose Chase” scavenger hunt to spot the Constitution at work in our everyday lives, test our knowledge with trivia, and perhaps welcome a guest speaker or two — all while decked out in red, white, and blue.
I may also indulge in some themed snacks, such as Amend “mints”!
Patrick Hall
Hazard High School – Hazard, KY
For my opener, I want to have my students examine this piece of art housed in the Smithsonian: Preamble, by Mike Wilkins, which uses vanity license plates from all 50 states to phonetically spell out the preamble to the US Constitution. It’s colorful, clever, and I know it will set the stage for a lively discussion of the artist’s tactics.
From there, the road is fairly open. We may dive deeper into the Preamble, discussing the weight, significance, and meaning of specific phrases. If I go this route, I may pull some resources from the National Constitution Center. But we may also use it as a springboard to talking about the Constitution more generally, establishing some foundational principles using iCivics’ Constitution Day lesson plan (technically for middle schoolers, but useful to high schoolers too). After all, it may be the country’s 250th anniversary, but it’s still early in the school year!
Chris Knox
Old Kings Elementary School – Flagler Beach, FL
My primary focus will be on the Constitution as a living document. To that end, my fourth graders and I will examine the preambles to each of Florida’s Constitutions throughout history. We will note the differences and discuss the events in the state and nation that led to each revision.
Jessica Culver
Ozark High School – Ozark, AR
One of my favorite field trips is to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock; this Constitution Day, we’re bringing the museum to the students. Kathleen Pate, Director of Education and Public Programs, will be visiting my Civics classes to connect past to present and explain the real-world implications of the Constitution in teenagers’ lives.
They’ll also get a gift: through one of my Donors Choose projects, every Civics student at my school will get a Constitution Activity Book full of puzzles, codes, crosswords, and games that together tell the story of this remarkable moment in our country’s history.
Zac Kaczanowski
GATE Magnet Middle School – Rochester Hills, MI
Using a Nearpod lesson, we’ll take a virtual field trip to the National Archives, the home of the Constitution today. The Archives were designed as a temple to history, and we look for features in the building that support its importance: from the sculpture over the entrance packed with symbolism, to the statues that guard the entrance (Future, who tells us “What is Past is Prologue” and Past, who bids us to “Study the Future”). Inside, the Charters of Freedom are displayed in the Shrine in the Rotunda.
All of these observations ladder up to some big questions, including: why preserve important documents? What lessons do they continue to share with future generations? What’s important about them for our country, democracy, and community? I’m looking forward to hearing what the students have to say!
Amanda Antey
Castle High School – Newburgh, IN
This year, I’m planning to put a little spin on the traditional Constitutional Convention lesson. My AP Government/We the People students will be imagining what a “New Constitutional Convention” might look like in 2026.
Students will each choose a modern-day “delegate” (someone they believe would bring an important perspective to the constitutional table) and research that person’s background, the state or territory they would represent, as well as three issues they would advocate for in shaping America’s future. They’ll also create a convention slogan and choose a 20-second “walk-up song” for their delegate. This will give the activity a fun, contemporary twist while still requiring students to think seriously about constitutional change.
Students will need to connect their delegate’s ideas to specific Articles or Amendments, consider potential allies and opponents at the convention, and interpret Jefferson’s famous call for the “tree of liberty” to be “refreshed” in the context of 2026. I know it will be exciting to watch students encounter the Constitution as a living framework that was itself the product of debate, compromise, and competing visions.
