United States Gubernatorial elections 2026 (36 governor races) — Live Results & Map

Figures from official electoral authorities · Updated 2026-10-27
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Live results will appear here on this page once counting begins on election day. This page updates automatically as official figures are released.

Democratic and Republican nominees, by state

Only the Democratic and Republican nominees are listed. Most states also print third-party and independent candidates, and accept write-ins; each state election office publishes its full ballot. In Alaska the top four from the nonpartisan primary advance and voters rank them; in California the top two from the open primary advance.

In office and what is open

In office now

Of the 36 governorships on the ballot, 18 are held by Democrats and 18 by Republicans.

Seventeen sitting governors are running again: Democrats in Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Pennsylvania, and Republicans in Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas and Vermont. The other 19 seats are open, most because of term limits; in Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee lost the Democratic primary.

How the races are decided

Each state elects its governor separately, and American parties do not form coalitions: in most states the candidate with the most votes wins outright.

Two states use a different route to the November ballot. California sends the top two of a single open primary to the general election, whatever their party; Alaska sends the top four of a nonpartisan primary, and its general election is counted by ranked choice.

About this election

Overview

On 3 November 2026 voters in 36 of the 50 states elect their governor, on the same ballot as the congressional midterms. Governors head the executive branch of each state: they sign or veto state legislation, propose the state budget, command the state National Guard and appoint many state officials. Most serve four-year terms, and in most states they are limited to two terms in a row.

The seats up in 2026 are split evenly between the parties: 18 are held by Democrats and 18 by Republicans. Seventeen sitting governors are seeking another term. The other 19 races are open, most of them because the incumbent has reached the term limit; the governors of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin chose not to run again, and in Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee lost the Democratic primary.

How governors are elected

Each state runs its own election under its own law. Parties choose their nominees in primaries held between spring and late summer, and in most states the general election is decided by plurality: the candidate with the most votes wins. Two states on this year's ballot reach November differently. In California every candidate runs in a single open primary and the two with the most votes, whatever their party, advance. In Alaska the four leading candidates of a nonpartisan primary advance, and the general election is counted by ranked choice. Lieutenant governors run on a joint ticket with the governor in many states and are elected separately in others.

What this page shows

The list below gives the Democratic and the Republican nominee in each state, with Alaska's four ranked-choice finalists. Third-party, independent and write-in candidates also appear on many ballots and are published by each state's election office. When the polls close, the states report unofficial returns; official results are certified over the following weeks. The congressional races of the same night are covered on the 2026 midterms page.

Frequently asked questions

When are the 2026 governor elections?

On Tuesday 3 November 2026, together with the congressional midterms. Thirty-six states elect a governor that day.

Which governorships are open?

Nineteen of the 36 have no incumbent on the ballot, mostly because of term limits; in Rhode Island the sitting governor lost his primary. Seventeen governors are seeking another term.

Who holds the seats now?

The 36 seats on the ballot are split evenly: 18 held by Democrats and 18 by Republicans.

Who is standing?

This page lists the Democratic and Republican nominees in every state; Alaska has four candidates on a ranked-choice ballot. Each state's election office publishes the full ballot, including third-party and independent candidates.

When will results be available?

Each state publishes unofficial returns from the moment its polls close on the evening of 3 November; the last polls close at 05:00 UTC on 4 November. Certification follows over the next weeks.

Compiled and reviewed from official results by ElectioMap. See our data methodology.

Understanding this election

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