2012 Election
13%
82%
38

Approval rating for Congress.

A September Gallup poll found that only 13 percent of Americans approved of the job Congress is doing, an improvement over their 10 percent August rating—the lowest in history—but still reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the House.

Nevertheless . . .

House seats considered safe.

Only 29 of the House’s 435 seats are a tossup this election, about 6 percent of the total. 24 more are leaning Democrat or Republican but could swing the other way, and another 25 could switch but are unlikely to do so. That leaves 357 seats—82 percent—that will not change party affiliation, held mostly by incumbents who are either running unopposed or are certain of victory.

The Democrats would need to win 59 of the 78 combined tossups and possible swing seats to regain control of the House, but only 53 of those are considered in play.

Seats that could go either way this election.

Congressional districts that have been classified as tossups by at least one major political analysis organization. These are seats that could change party affiliation.