United States Senate elections, 2016 ← 2014 November 8, 2016 2018 → Class 3 (34 of the 100) seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority Majority party Minority party Leader Mitch McConnell Harry Reid (retiring) Party Republican Democratic Leader 's seat Kentucky Nevada Seats before 54 44 Seats after 52 46 Seat change Popular vote 40,402,790 51,496,682 Percentage 42.4 % 53.8 % Swing 9.3 % 10.0 % Seats up 24 10 Races won 22 12 Third party Party Independent Seats before Seats after Seat change Popular vote 562,935 Percentage 0.5 % Seats up 0 Races won 0 Democratic gains Democratic holds Republican holds ^ Jump up to: Both Independents caucus with the Democrats. Majority Leader before election Mitch McConnell Republican Elected Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Republican
how many republicans and how many democrats are in the senate
54 44