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What if the polls are wrong about a Democratic Senate? Mapping 4 scenarios.

The Washington Post • October 31, 2026 • general

Key Points:

With three days remaining until Election Day, Democrats appear highly likely to regain control of the House of Representatives.
Despite structural disadvantages, Democrats also seem positioned to win the Senate.
However, the Senate race remains uncertain, as recent elections have sometimes defied poll predictions and analyst expectations.
Republicans have outperformed expectations in several recent presidential elections, while Democrats have been underestimated in key Senate and gubernatorial races.
The final outcome could still shift, underscoring the volatility and unpredictability of the current electoral landscape.