How long do they actually serve?
When you see "86% through term" or "640 days remaining" on a scorecard, it helps to know what that progress bar actually measures — and how election timing fits into the picture.
An official early in their term may have fewer completed promises not because they've failed, but because they haven't had time yet. An official near the end of their term with unmet promises has had their full window. The term progress bar on each scorecard lets you factor this in.
Who serves how long
- Term limit: 2 terms max (8 years total)
- Seats: 1 — elected via Electoral College
- Election cycle: Every 4 years
- Term limit: None
- Seats: 100 total — 2 per state
- Election cycle: ~33 seats up every 2 years
- Structure: Staggered into 3 classes so the Senate is never fully replaced in a single election
- Term limit: None
- Seats: 435 — apportioned by state population
- Election cycle: All 435 seats every 2 years
- Districts: Redrawn after each census — every 10 years (last: 2020, next: 2030)
- Term limit: Varies — most states cap at 2 consecutive terms
- Seats: 50 — one per state
- Exception: NH and VT use 2-year terms
- Election cycle: Mostly midterm years
- Term limit: Set by city charter — many have none
- Seats: 1 per city
- Exception: Some cities use 2-year terms
- Election cycle: Often odd years
When an official wins re-election, their term progress resets to 0% from inauguration day. PolicyLogic currently tracks the current term only — a long-serving senator who just won re-election will show "Year 1 of 6" even if they've held the seat for 24 years.
This is a known limitation. Don't treat low term progress as an excuse for an unproductive record if the official has been in office for decades. We're working to add total tenure data so delivery records can be read in full context.
When elections happen
Federal elections follow a strict calendar. State and local elections run on their own schedules — often in odd years or off-cycle.
| Year type | What's on the ballot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential year 2024, 2028… |
President ~33 Senate seats All 435 House seats | Highest turnout. Divided into spring primary and November general election. |
| Midterm year 2026, 2030… |
~33 Senate seats All 435 House seats Many governors | No presidential race. The party in the White House historically loses seats at midterms. |
| Off-year 2025, 2027… |
Some governors Many mayors State legislatures | Virginia and New Jersey hold governor's races every odd year. Many cities also vote in odd years. |
2024 – 2030 at a glance
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24November 2024 — PresidentialTrump won the presidential race. All 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats were contested. Republicans gained the Senate majority.
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252025 — Off-yearGovernor's races in Virginia and New Jersey. Numerous mayoral elections across major cities.
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26November 2026 — MidtermsAll 435 House seats. 33 Senate seats. Approximately 36 governor's races. First major electoral test for the Trump administration.
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272027 — Off-yearVirginia and New Jersey governor's races. Many city mayoral contests.
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28November 2028 — PresidentialNext presidential election. All 435 House seats and ~33 Senate seats. Trump cannot run again due to the two-term limit.
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30November 2030 — MidtermsNext midterm cycle. Congressional maps will be redrawn after the 2030 census, reshaping many House districts.