Midterm elections and the future of Congress and the presidency 

Monday, October 19, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. EDT 
Online only: https://www.brookings.edu/events/midterm-elections-and-the-future-of-congress-and-the-presidency  

Midterm elections are typically losing propositions for the party in power, and if polls are to be believed, this year will be no different.

The Supreme Court’s precedent-busting decision in Louisiana v. Callais had a major impact on the Voting Rights Act, triggering lawsuits and mid-decade redistricting in more than a dozen states. These new congressional maps will play a pivotal role in the forthcoming elections. In addition, only a fraction of House seats are considered competitive, suggesting that relatively few states play a consequential role. Nevertheless, the stakes are high and a change in the balance of power can have profound consequences for the President Trump administration.

On October 19, the Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings will host a panel of experts to discuss potential election outcomes, the role of public opinion, the impact of mid-decade redistricting, and the consequences of new majorities in the House and Senate.

Online viewers can submit questions by emailing events@brookings.edu.