Rent is still due, groceries are still high and finding a job that pays enough can feel like a job in itself. For the Black community, this election could shape decisions about healthcare, education and economic opportunity. So what exactly is at stake?

The 2026 midterm elections will take place on November 3, halfway through President Donald Trump’s four-year term.

This November, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are up for election. Republicans currently control both the House and Senate, giving Trump’s party more power to set the agenda and advance his priorities. That includes decisions that directly affect the Black community, such as funding for HBCUs, financial aid for students and access to affordable healthcare.

Groceries, rent and other everyday expenses are also at stake in this election. Tariffs have raised the cost of imported food and household goods when businesses pass those costs on to customers, and the Congressional Budget Office has found that higher tariffs reduce households’ purchasing power.

Housing costs are another concern. Congress decides funding for rental assistance and can support the construction of more affordable housing. This election will not immediately lower anyone’s bills, but it will determine who makes these decisions and whether their policies ease the pressure or add to it.

A change in Congress would not automatically undo Trump’s policies. He would still be president and could veto legislation. But winning either chamber would give Democrats the ability to block bills, investigate the administration and demand answers from officials. Control of the Senate also matters because senators vote on federal judges and other presidential nominees, and those appointments can shape decisions for years, even after a president leaves office.

Federal support for higher education has already changed. In September 2025, the administration announced a one-time funding increase of nearly $500 million for HBCUs and tribal colleges, while ending grant programs for other minority-serving institutions.

Meanwhile, Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended Grad PLUS loans for new borrowers beginning July 2026, with limited exceptions for qualifying current students. For students planning to continue their education, that could mean finding other funding, taking out private loans or choosing a cheaper program.

The next Congress will have a say in funding for HBCUs and whether to revise these student loan restrictions, which puts both support for the schools and Black students’ ability to afford a degree at stake.

State and local elections matter, too. Governors and state lawmakers make decisions about funding for public schools and HBCUs, while local leaders have a say in housing and services in our neighborhoods. It’s easy to focus on Washington, but the people making decisions closer to home deserve just as much attention.

For Black communities, what happens next could shape access to education, economic opportunity and the civil rights protections generations fought to secure. That is what is at stake when the next Congress takes office. Before Election Day, check your voter registration status and confirm your polling location, voting options and deadlines through your state’s official election website.