In every election cycle a certain number of senators and representatives retire or run for other offices leaving behind open seats for their
parties to defend.
Here are the number of retirements in recent years:
| 2024 |
5 |
2 |
| 2022 |
1 |
5 |
| 2020 |
1 |
3 |
| 2018 |
0 |
4 |
| 2016 |
3 |
2 |
| 2014 |
5 |
3 |
| 2012 |
6 |
3 |
| 2010 |
5 |
6 |
| 2008 |
0 |
5 |
| 2006 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
| 2024 |
24 |
21 |
2022 |
33 |
17 |
| 2020 |
12 |
36 |
| 2018 |
18 |
34 |
| 2016 |
8 |
20 |
| 2014 |
16 |
25 |
| 2012 |
23 |
20 |
| 2010 |
17 |
20 |
| 2008 |
6 |
27 |
| 2006 |
9 |
18 |
|
Here are the numbers so far for the 2026 election:
Here is the list of senators who are retiring this cycle that will result in open-seat elections in 2026 (sorted alphabetically by state):
Here are the announced House retirements that will result in open-seat elections in 2026, sorted on PVI (Cook Partisan Voting Index) based on the 2024 districts.
When a retirement occurs early in the cycle, it will be filled in a special election and not be an open-seat election in 2026.
Any seat between R+5 and D+5 is a swing district that has to be fought over,
even more so if occupied by the "wrong" party.
