1. How many U.S. Senate seats are up for re-election in November?

2. a) What are toss-up races?
b) Name the states with toss-ups in the 2026 midterms. -- Which party currently holds the seat?

3. a) What is the current makeup of the Senate?
b) How many seats do Democrats need to win to regain control of the Senate?
c) Why do Republicans need to only win 3 seats to retain control of the Senate?

4. How close is the outcome of the Senate midterms, according to Harry Enten, CNN's polling and data journalist?

5. Watch the CNN video under "Resources." In the midterm Senate races, is the expected outcome typically as close as in 2026? Explain.

CHALLENGE: After the November 2026 elections, research and report on the final results of the seven toss-up Senate races discussed in the article (Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Texas). Which party won each race, and how did the outcomes compare to the RealClearPolitics polling averages mentioned in the article?