Midterms End With Democrats Reclaiming Congress as Election Day Photos Capture Wins in Washington and South Carolina
Tuesday marked the thrilling conclusion of the 2026 midterm elections, with the Democratic Party successfully taking back majorities in both legislative houses of Congress. Roll Call’s photojournalists spent Election Day in the Washington area and in South Carolina, where Sen.-elect Annie Andrews pulled off a surprising win over Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham. Here are some of their photos from a busy and whirlwind day.
Photographer Tom Williams captured this image for CQ Roll Call on Election Day outside an event in Bowie, Md., showing Rep. Steny H. Hoyer—who is leaving the seat—alongside Rep.-elect Adrian Boafo. Across the area, voters filled out ballots at the Non-Traditional Program North School in Bowie, while in downtown Charleston, S.C., voters cast ballots at the Hazel Parker Playground, as documented by Bill Clark for CQ Roll Call.
Watch Parties and Celebrations in Washington and Charleston
As the results solidified late Tuesday night, celebratory scenes unfolded across multiple venues. New York Rep. Gregory Meeks cheered after the House was called in favor of Democrats during House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ election night watch party in Washington. Meanwhile, in Charleston, S.C., former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison spoke at Sen.-elect Annie Andrews’s election night party, drawing cheers from supporters as results were announced throughout the room.
Back in Washington, guests at Jeffries’ watch party cheered on Tuesday night as final tallies confirmed the shift in congressional power. House Minority Whip Katherine M. Clark, Jeffries, and Reps. Suzan DelBene, Ted Lieu, and Meeks addressed the watch party crowd after Democrats officially won the House.
