American Midterm Elections: Now is the Time to Act

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE.

Elections to the U.S. Congress will take place on November 3, 2026. All 435 districts in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election. Five of the House’s six non-voting members are also up for election.

Heading into the 2026 general elections, Republicans control both chambers of Congress. They hold a 53–45 majority in the Senate, while two independents caucus with the Democrats, effectively giving the Democrats 47 votes for organizational purposes. In the House, Republicans have a 218-212 majority, with four vacancies. One member, Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.), caucuses with the Republicans, effectively giving Republicans 219 votes for organizational purposes.

There are current US Congress members and US Senators who are anti-Israel.  Certain members of the U.S. Congress, primarily belonging to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party often referred to as “The Squad” and associated legislators, have been labeled as anti-Israel or hostile critics of Israeli policy by groups like AIPAC and congressional opponents. Critics and the lawmakers themselves often reject the “anti-Israel” label, describing their positions as opposition to specific military actions, human rights advocacy, or calls for ceasefires.

Prominent Congressional Critics of Israel

• Rashida Tlaib (D-MI): The first Palestinian-American woman in Congress, widely characterized by pro-Israel organizations as one of the most vocal critics of Israel, having opposed military funding and frequently condemned Israeli government policies.
• Ilhan Omar (D-MN): Consistently critical of U.S. aid to Israel and Israeli military campaigns, and has faced censure or criticism from colleagues over statements regarding U.S. policy and lobbying groups.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): A high-profile progressive representative who has voted against certain military aid packages and joined calls for conditioning assistance or implementing ceasefires in Gaza.
• Ayanna Pressley (D-MA): Member of the progressive caucus who has joined legislative efforts questioning unconditional military support and voted against resolutions affirming unconditional backing of Israel’s current government policies.
• Delia Ramirez (D-IL): Co-led legislative efforts like the Block the Bombs Act to restrict offensive arms transfers to Israel.
• Summer Lee (D-PA): Frequently votes against military funding packages for Israel and aligns with progressive calls for halting offensive weapons shipments.

Ceasefire and Aid Restrictions: Numerous progressive Democrats have backed legislative measures or signed letters calling for ceasefires, humanitarian access, or restrictions on offensive military aid.

Recent Electoral Shifts: Several prominent critics, such as former Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, were defeated in primary elections following heavy engagement and spending by pro-Israel political action committees, while other progressive members remain active on foreign policy committees.

Some voters have been outside of America for a long time and have no clue who to vote for. The best way to know what a candidate stands for is to email them or contact them on Facebook. I wrote to a candidate and asked three questions. One was “what do you think about the Middle East and Israel.” He responded, “Israel stole the land from the Palestinians and he would make sure they would get their land back.” Do we want elected officials like that?

To get clear, informative, and authentic answers from Congressional and Senate candidates, your questions should be specific, policy-driven, and open-ended. Broad questions like “What do you think about the Middle East?” often result in generic, rehearsed talking points.

Here are the best ways to frame your questions depending on the specific angle you want to address:

1. Questions on Regional Security and Alliances Focus on the strategic relationship and formal commitments between the United States and regional actors.

• “How do you view the future of the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance, and what specific measures do you support to ensure Israel’s long-term security?”
• “What is your position on U.S. foreign assistance and military aid to Israel, and do you believe any conditions should be attached to that funding?”
• “What strategies should the U.S. pursue to counter regional threats from Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis?”

2. Questions on Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Focus on the candidate’s vision for long-term peace and diplomatic engagement.

• “What role should the United States play in facilitating a sustainable, long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?”
• “Do you support the continued expansion of the Abraham Accords, and how would your administration leverage diplomatic normalization to foster regional stability?”
• “What is your stance on the humanitarian situation in conflict zones, and how should the U.S. balance humanitarian aid delivery with safeguarding security interests?”

Time is running out, if you aren’t registered, register today.  

To register and request an absentee ballot by email use FVAP’s easy online assistant at www.fvap.gov/FPCA to walk you through state-specific form completion. Once you complete the FPCA, print, sign, and send it to your election office. Most states accept the FPCA by email or fax while some require it by mail. Check your state-specific guidelines at https://www.fvap.gov/.

Once you receive your requested absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as you get it. Remember to carefully follow the instructions, especially using a “security envelope” if required, and sign the package as indicated when returning it. To save time, send voted ballots electronically if allowed by state law. Voters can check if their state accepts completed absentee ballots by email, fax, or via an online portal at https://www.fvap.gov/guide.  For states that require ballots to be mailed, many will allow one courier package with multiple individually sealed ballots addressed to the same election office.  Contact your election official to confirm.

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If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at www.fvap.gov/FWAB. It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted. To make sure the voted ballot is received by your state. Go to FVAP.gov, click on your state and then the “check the status of your voted ballot” button.

To find your state’s election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit FVAP.gov and select your state from the dropdown menu. You can also reach out directly to your election office for status updates on your registration and absentee ballot.

If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or need help with the absentee voting process, please contact Andee Goldman, nonpartisan volunteer at votingfromabroad@gmail.com

“Voting from abroad is a privilege.  By not voting, you allow others to speak for you.”   Andee Goldman