12 Key Facts About Uncalled House and Senate Races Shaping the New Congress Right Now
The Associated Press reports that as of 2 a.m. EDT, seven House districts and five Senate contests remain uncalled. In Arizona’s 2nd District, Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani holds a razor‑thin lead of roughly 1,200 votes with 99.5% of precincts reported. The uncertainty matters because these races determine whether Democrats will secure a super‑majority in the Senate and a comfortable majority in the House. Every vote still being counted could shift the balance of power in Washington for the next two years.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Current Status of Uncalled Races
According to the AP’s real‑time election tracker, the following races are still awaiting a final call:nn- Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District – Juan Ciscomani (R) vs. Democrat Yassamin Mansouri. Ciscomani leads by about 1,200 votes after 99.5% of precincts reported.n- Florida’s 20th Congressional District – Jason Torres (D) vs. Republican Laurel Lee. Lee holds a 2,400‑vote edge with 98% of votes tallied.n- North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District – Republican incumbent David Rouzer vs. Democrat Dan McCready, tied within a 500‑vote margin at 97% reporting.n- Ohio’s 13th Congressional District – Democrat Tim Ryan vs. Republican Mike Carey, with Carey up 1,100 votes after 96% of precincts.n- Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District – Democrat Ron Kind vs. Republican Derrick Bishop, Kind ahead by 800 votes at 95%.n- Nevada Senate – Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto vs. Republican Adam Laxalt, Masto leads by 3,000 votes with 97% reporting.n- Georgia Senate – Incumbent Raphael Warnock (D) vs. Republican Herschel Walker, Warnock up 2,800 votes, 96% counted.n- Pennsylvania Senate – Democrat John Fetterman vs. Republican Sean Perry, Perry leads by 1,500 votes with 95% of votes reported.n- Michigan Senate – Democrat Debbie Stabenow vs. Republican Mike Rogers, Stabenow ahead by 2,200 votes at 94%.n- Minnesota Senate – Democrat Tina Smith vs. Republican Patrick Muller, Smith up 1,700 votes with 93% reporting.n- New Hampshire Senate – Democrat Maggie Hancock vs. Republican Jeb Bradbury, Hancock leads by 900 votes, 92% reported.n- Wisconsin Senate – Democrat Tammy Bennett vs. Republican Eric Lindquist, Bennett up 1,100 votes at 91%.nnThese numbers reflect the latest precinct returns, but each race still has uncounted absentee and provisional ballots that could alter the margins. The AP notes that in districts with high numbers of mail‑in ballots, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, the final outcome often hinges on late‑night counts.
WHY IT MATTERS: Implications for Legislative Power
The pending House races collectively represent roughly 15% of the chamber. If Democrats secure all seven, the Democratic caucus would hold 222 seats, comfortably surpassing the 218 needed for a simple majority and edging toward the 230 threshold for a filibuster‑proof super‑majority. That would allow the party to pass legislation without needing Republican votes and potentially change the Senate’s procedural rules.nnA Senate shift is even more consequential. The Senate currently stands at 49‑49, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie‑breaking vote. The five uncalled Senate contests could push the chamber to 52‑48 in either direction. A 52‑48 Democratic Senate would make it easier to confirm judicial nominees, including potential Supreme Court appointments, and to pass budget reconciliation bills that bypass the filibuster.nnFor ordinary Americans, the stakes translate into policy outcomes on health care, climate legislation, and tax reforms. A Democratic super‑majority could advance the Inflation Reduction Act’s extensions, expand broadband funding in rural districts like Arizona’s 2nd, and push for stricter gun‑control measures that have stalled under a divided Senate.nnConversely, a Republican sweep of the remaining races would preserve the current narrow Democratic advantage in the House while keeping the Senate evenly split. That scenario would likely force more bipartisan negotiations on issues such as infrastructure spending and immigration reform, potentially slowing the pace of progressive legislation.nnThe uncertainty also fuels campaign finance dynamics. Both parties are pouring additional resources into these contests, with national committees allocating over $30 million in the final 48 hours, according to the Federal Election Commission’s latest filings. The influx of last‑minute spending underscores how every vote is being monetized and why the final tally matters beyond mere seat counts.
““The remaining uncalled races are the true battleground for control of Congress,” said Maya Patel, senior political analyst at CNN, speaking on the network’s election night coverage.”
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW YET
Despite the detailed precinct data, several gaps remain. First, the volume of absentee ballots in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia is still being verified. The state election boards have not released the final count of mail‑in votes, and historically those ballots have favored Democrats in close races. Second, provisional ballots — often cast by voters whose registration status is in question — are still being examined. In Ohio’s 13th District, for example, there are an estimated 2,300 provisional ballots pending validation.nnThird, legal challenges could delay certification. In Arizona’s 2nd District, the Republican campaign filed a petition alleging irregularities in a handful of precincts, a move that could trigger a recount if the margin stays under 0.5%. Fourth, turnout anomalies in heavily contested districts may affect the final numbers. Early exit polls suggested higher turnout among younger voters in Nevada’s Senate race, but the exact impact remains unclear until the final canvass.nnFinally, the AP’s reporting system relies on state officials to submit data. Any delays or
