If your kids remember the presidential election in 2024, they might be wondering why we’re already talking about elections again. Didn’t we just do this two years ago? And if we’re not electing another president this November, what exactly are we voting for?
They’re good questions, particularly with the 2026 midterm elections approaching on November 3. Presidential elections tend to attract the most attention, but they’re only part of the American electoral system. The Founders established different election cycles for the presidency and the two chambers of Congress, giving Americans regular opportunities to choose who represents them.
There’s actually some interesting history behind why our elections work this way. And understanding a little of that history can help your kids make sense of what’s happening this November.
What Exactly Are Midterm Elections?
Every four years, Americans elect a president. But the president is only one part of the federal government. Congress, which is responsible for making federal laws, is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Congress operates on a different schedule. Members of the House serve two-year terms, meaning all 435 voting seats are up for election every two years. Senators, on the other hand, serve six-year terms, with approximately one-third of the Senate facing election every two years.
When these congressional elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term, they’re known as midterm elections. Many states also hold elections for governors, state legislators, and local officials at the same time.
For children, the simplest explanation might be this: We choose our president every four years, but we don’t have to wait that long to choose the people who represent us in Congress.
It’s also worth explaining the difference between primary and general elections. In many states, primaries help political parties choose their candidates for the general election, although some nomination processes also involve caucuses. General elections determine who will hold office, and the midterms are simply the general elections that happen halfway through a president’s term.
It can be a lot to keep straight, particularly for younger children. Our latest guide, The Kids Guide to the Midterm Elections, includes an illustrated overview of the election process, explaining primary and general elections and what makes the midterms different.
Why Did the Founders Design Elections This Way?
When delegates gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 to write the Constitution, they faced an enormous challenge. They needed to create a government strong enough to lead a growing nation without concentrating too much power in the hands of any one person or institution.
One question was particularly important: How often should members of Congress have to face another election?
The House of Representatives was designed to remain closely connected to the people. With elections every two years, its members would regularly have to answer to the voters who sent them to Washington.
The Senate was different. Its six-year terms were intended to provide greater stability, allowing senators more time to consider complicated issues without constantly facing another election. Originally, senators weren’t even elected directly by voters. They were chosen by state legislatures, a system that remained in place until the 17th Amendment established direct elections in 1913.
The Founders also wanted to ensure that the entire Senate wouldn’t be replaced at once. That left the first senators with a practical question: who would serve the initial two-, four-, and six-year terms?
On May 15, 1789, Massachusetts senator Tristram Dalton stood inside New York City’s Federal Hall, where the newly formed Senate was meeting. With Vice President John Adams presiding, Dalton reached into a small wooden box and pulled out a slip of paper marked “Number One.”
That simple drawing placed Dalton and six other senators in the first group, whose initial terms would last just two years. Two other groups were assigned four- and six-year terms. After those initial periods, senators would serve the full six years, with roughly one-third of the Senate coming up for election every two years.
More than 230 years later, that same staggered system is still in place.
And that’s really the point of the different election cycles. Members of the House face voters more frequently, while the Senate provides continuity even as the political landscape changes. The Founders wanted Americans to have regular opportunities to change their government without necessarily changing everything at once.
Why Should Kids Care About the Midterms?
Your kids might find that history interesting, but they may still have a more immediate question: What does any of this have to do with us?
The answer is more than they might realize. Many of the places and programs children are already familiar with are directly affected by decisions made in Washington.
Take national parks, for example. If your family has ever visited Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or another national park, you’ve seen a place whose upkeep depends partly on decisions made in Congress. Federal lawmakers approve funding that helps maintain trails, visitor centers, and historic sites throughout the National Park System.
Education offers another example. While states and local school districts make many of the decisions about what happens in classrooms, Congress helps determine federal education funding and the laws governing certain educational programs. But the importance of the midterms goes beyond funding individual programs. These elections also help determine which political party controls the House and Senate, and that can have a major impact on the relationship between Congress and the president.
A president might have an idea for a new law, but supporting something doesn’t mean it automatically becomes law. Proposed legislation generally has to pass both chambers of Congress before the president can sign it. If the midterms change which party controls Congress, they can also dramatically change which proposals have enough support to move forward.
It’s a practical example of checks and balances: presidents cannot simply pass the laws they want on their own. Congress has an important role to play, and voters help determine who serves there.
And don’t forget that many state and local elections take place during the midterms, too. Those races give families another opportunity to talk about how decisions made by elected officials can affect their own communities, from schools and public safety to roads and local services.
How Can You Help Your Kids Understand the Elections?
You don’t need to be an expert on American government to talk with your children about the midterms. Trying to explain everything at once would likely make the subject more confusing. Here are a few simple ways to help your kids understand the elections.
• Start with the Basics
Americans elect different people to handle different responsibilities. The president leads the executive branch, while Congress makes federal laws and helps decide how the government spends money. Both have important jobs, and neither can simply do whatever it wants. Once your kids understand that distinction, you can talk about why we elect these officials at different times.
• Ask Them Questions
Try asking your kids why House members face election every two years, while senators serve longer terms. If they think two years sounds too short, ask what might happen if representatives could go many years without facing another election. It’s a natural way to introduce the ideas of accountability and stability without turning the conversation into a formal lesson.
• Bring It Home
Make things concrete by looking up a sample ballot for your area through your local election office. Help your kids identify which candidates are running for Congress and which are seeking state or local office. If there’s a Senate race, explain why some states are electing senators this year while others aren’t.
• Involve Your Kids
If local election rules permit it, consider taking your children with you when you vote so they can see the process firsthand. You can also follow the election results together and discuss which offices are being decided and how the outcomes might affect the government. Seeing elections in action can make the concepts you’ve discussed feel more real.
• Encourage Curiosity
Encourage your kids to ask questions. They don’t need to understand every political disagreement to start learning how elections work. If they ask something you don’t know, look it up together. Learning where to find reliable information about our government is a valuable lesson in itself.
Help Your Kids Explore America’s Elections
If these conversations leave your children wanting to know more, The Kids Guide to the Midterm Elections gives them a way to keep exploring. Through colorful illustrations and straightforward explanations, the guide breaks down a system that can sometimes be confusing even for adults.
For example, an illustrated spread explains the different types of elections and why the House and Senate operate on different schedules. The guide also explores how congressional elections affect everyday life, the balance of power between Congress and the president, and historical midterms that helped shape the country. By connecting the upcoming elections to the decisions made by the Founders and events throughout American history, the guide helps kids see the bigger picture. They’re not simply learning when elections happen, but why our system works the way it does.
With the 2026 midterms approaching, The Kids Guide is also offering a special election-themed gift bundle for families. It includes The Kids Guide to the Midterm Elections and its companion publication, The Kids Guide to Free & Fair Elections, along with access to additional educational resources through The Kids Guide Online, including an Election Day video lesson. Explore the 2026 Election Gift Bundle HERE to learn more about the guides and review the offer details.
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