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It’s Election Day in the US, which means lots of people are heading to the polls.
Americans who will vote in the 2026 midterm elections will see polls close at various times across the country today. We have some information you may need. Local elections are on the ballot, as well as larger scale elections such as governors and senators.
What time do polls close on Election Day 2026?
The first polling stations close at 6pm Eastern Time on Tuesday! Other states will follow in waves, with the last polling places in Alaska to stop voting after midnight.
Here’s a breakdown of the scheduled closing times, via CBS News.
7 p.m. ET: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia.
7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia.
8 p.m. ET: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island.
8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas.
9 p.m. ET: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas (polls in most of the state will be almost an hour earlier), Wisconsin, Wyoming.
10 p.m. ET: Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah.
11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
12 a.m. ET: Hawaii.
1 a.m. ET: Alaska.
When will the election results come in?
The earliest results could be expected this evening, as polling stations begin to close. Additional results will be reported as election offices process and count all available ballots.
News organizations, such as the AP, use available election results and other verified information before calling a race. Some races with large margins may be scheduled as early as this evening! However, there may be delays, particularly in elections with tighter margins that require additional recounts or recounts before a winner can be predicted.
A 2026 election results guide published by Votebeat said changes in state election laws, ballot counting procedures and available resources can affect reporting times.
Stay tuned to major news sites like the Associated Press for the latest in election coverage.
Posted in: 2026 Election Day 2026 Midterm Elections Election Day Politics
