How to Bet on the 2026 Midterms with Polymarket
A step-by-step walkthrough for betting on the 2026 midterms with Polymarket US. Learn how to open an account, trade House and Senate control contracts, and unlock a $25 bonus credit using promo code CHECK.
Sam Eaton - November 1, 2026, 2:30 PM EST
3 Minute ReadHow to Bet on the 2026 Midterms with Polymarket
To bet on the 2026 midterms with Polymarket, download the Polymarket US app through oddschecker, enter promo code CHECK, verify your identity, make a deposit and buy Yes or No shares in any midterm market. The whole process takes a few minutes, and your first deposit unlocks a $25 trading bonus.
Step-by-step: betting on the midterms with Polymarket
Step 1: Sign up through oddschecker
Tap any Polymarket link on oddschecker to go to the Polymarket US sign-up page, or download the official Polymarket US app for iOS or Android.
Step 2: Enter promo code CHECK
When the app asks, tap "I have a referral code" and type CHECK. The code has to go in at sign-up for the bonus to apply.
Step 3: Verify your identity
Add your personal details and complete the identity check. Polymarket US is open to adults in eligible states, and it confirms your location before you can trade. The CHECK offer isn't available in Nevada.
Step 4: Make your first deposit
Fund your account with one of the payment methods offered in the app. Your first deposit triggers the $25 trading bonus.
Step 5: Open the Midterms Hub
Polymarket's Midterms Hub collects its election markets in one place, with an interactive map, a key races view and balance-of-power markets. Pick the market you want to trade, such as which party wins the House or the Senate.
Step 6: Choose Yes or No and set your order
Decide which outcome you're backing and how many shares to buy. You can buy instantly at the best available price, or set a limit price and wait for another trader to match it. Polymarket is a peer-to-peer order book, so a limit order can sometimes get you a slightly better price.
Step 7: Follow the results and sell if you want to
On election night, the hub shows live vote counts alongside the market prices. You can hold your shares until the market resolves or sell them at the current price whenever you like.
A worked example
As of November 1, Polymarket prices Democrats at 93¢ to win the House and Republicans at 7¢.
- Buy 100 shares of Democrats at 93¢: you pay $93. If Democrats win the House, you get $100 back, a $7 profit.
- Buy 100 shares of Republicans at 7¢: you pay $7. If Republicans keep the House, you get $100 back, a $93 profit. The low price shows the market sees it as unlikely.
The same math works on every market. Your possible profit is $1 minus the price you paid, for each share.
Polymarket midterm markets to trade
Market | Current Price (Nov 1) |
|---|---|
Democrats win the House | 93¢ |
Democrats win the Senate | 70¢ |
Republicans win the Senate | 31¢ |
Democrats win both chambers | 69¢ |
Beyond these, Polymarket lists hundreds of markets on individual Senate and governor races, Senate seat totals, swing states, ballot measures and some local races.
Individual Senate races trade on Polymarket US too. Its Maine Senate market had traded about $4 million by November 1, and Texas, where Polymarket prices James Talarico (D) at 72% against Ken Paxton (R) at 29%, is one of the busiest races on the platform. Compare prices across the board on our US politics odds page.
Getting the most from your Polymarket bonus
- Check the bonus terms in the app so you know how and when the $25 can be used.
- Compare with Kalshi. Prices on the two platforms often differ by a cent or two. Kalshi users can claim a separate $25 bonus credit with promo code ODDSCHECKER.
- Read each market's resolution rules. Close races can take days or weeks to call.
Polymarket midterms FAQs
What is the Polymarket promo code?
The promo code is CHECK. Enter it when you sign up through oddschecker to get a $25 trading bonus after your first deposit and trade.
Can I use Polymarket in the US?
Yes, through Polymarket US, a CFTC-regulated exchange open to adults in eligible states.
Can I sell my Polymarket shares before Election Day?
Yes. You can sell at the current market price any time before the market resolves.
What happens if a race is too close to call?
Each market resolves according to the rules on its market page. Read them before you buy, because a recount can delay settlement.
Who will win the midterms according to Polymarket?
Polymarket traders favor Democrats in both chambers: 93% for the House and 70% for the Senate as of November 1.
How do Polymarket Senate race markets resolve?
Rules vary, so always check the market page. Polymarket's Ohio Senate market, for example, resolves once the Associated Press, Fox News and NBC all call the race for the same candidate. If they don't all agree, it waits for official certification.
Prices are from Polymarket as of November 1, 2026, and change constantly. Polymarket US is a CFTC-regulated exchange. Age and state eligibility rules apply, and promo terms apply. The Polymarket offer is not available in Nevada. Trading event contracts carries a risk of loss. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
