Countdown to the 2026 Midterm Election: 20 Days Out

October 13, 2026

Wednesday, October 14 marks 20 days until the 2026 midterm elections.

Independent Expenditure Reporting. Starting after October 14, independent expenditures of $1,000 or more per election per office sought must be disclosed to the FEC within 24 hours (by midnight eastern time on the day after dissemination). Independent expenditures are also disclosed on the filer’s next periodic report.

An independent expenditure is an expenditure for a communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified federal candidate and is not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, his or her campaign committee or agents, or a political party committee or its agents. Independent expenditures are also subject to disclaimer requirements.

As to PAC Pre-General Reports. October 14 also marks the close of books for the Pre-General FEC Report.

Quarterly PAC filers must file an October Quarterly Report by October 15. Quarterly PAC filers are also required to file a Pre-General Report by October 22 if they make contributions to, or expenditures on behalf of, a candidate for the 2026 general election between October 1 and October 14.

Monthly PAC filers file an October Monthly Report by October 20, then file a Pre-General Report by October 22. Monthly PAC filers are required to file the Pre-General Report regardless of activity.

Our previous countdown to Election Day alerts covered restrictions on coordinated communications during the 90 days before the general and reporting requirements for electioneering communications disseminated during the 60 days before the general. These requirements remain in effect.