As Election Day arrives, seven takeaways from $7.1 billion in political ads

With Election Day just one day away, the 2026 political advertising cycle is nearing its conclusion, leaving behind record broadcast television ad volumes, billions in spending and some unexpected shifts in where campaign dollars have gone.

A new analysis from the Wesleyan Media Project, using AdImpact spending data through Oct. 25, provides a detailed look at how candidates and outside groups allocated their advertising budgets, which states attracted increased spending in the closing weeks and how this year’s election cycle compares with previous campaigns.

Here are seven takeaways from the research:

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