Over the last several months, the price Americans pay for gasoline and other fuels has increased significantly. In this brief, we describe these price changes as a first step in understanding their causes and consequences. We also pose questions that we will address in future briefs on this subject.

In November 2026, the U.S. will hold midterm congressional elections. Potential outcomes range from a continued Republican unified government (control of the Presidency, House, and Senate) to a divided government in which President Trump faces Democratic majorities in the House and/or Senate. This brief considers how predictions have changed since our last update in April 2026.

Elections used to be a simple matter. Thirty years ago, almost 90% of voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day. Voting by mail was mostly for the elderly, disabled, military members, or people who would not be home on Election Day and needed to cast an absentee vote. Early in-person voting before Election Day was rare.