Poll Closing Times for the 2026 Midterm Elections
Voters across the United States are heading to the polls today, with closing times varying significantly by state and time zone.
Millions of Americans are participating in the 2026 midterm elections today, Tuesday, November 3, as they cast ballots for congressional seats, gubernatorial races, and local referendums. Because election administration is managed at the state and local levels, polling hours differ across the country, requiring voters to verify their specific local requirements to ensure their vote is counted.
The first polls in the nation are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. ET in portions of Indiana and Kentucky. As the evening progresses, closing times will move westward across the country. By 7 p.m. ET, polls will close in states including Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia, followed by North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A significant number of states, including Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania, are set to close their polling places at 8 p.m. ET. In Illinois, officials have noted high turnout during early and mail-in voting periods, and residents are reminded that those already in line at their assigned polling place by the time of closure retain the legal right to cast their ballot.
Voters in states such as Arizona, Michigan, New York, and Texas will see their polls close at 9 p.m. ET, though some regions in Texas may close an hour earlier depending on local jurisdiction. Further west, polls in states like Nevada and Utah are scheduled to close at 10 p.m. ET, while California, Oregon, and Washington will conclude voting at 11 p.m. ET.
The final polls of the day will close in Hawaii at midnight ET and in Alaska at 1 a.m. ET. Election officials emphasize that while procedures for mail-in ballots and early voting vary, in-person voters must generally report to their assigned precincts on Election Day. Those uncertain about their designated location are encouraged to use state-provided online lookup tools or check sample ballots distributed by county officials.
Election authorities across the country have reiterated that voters who are in line when polls close are permitted to stay and vote. In states like New Jersey, voters are reminded that mail-in ballots should not be brought to in-person polling stations, but rather deposited at designated drop boxes or county election offices by the 8 p.m. deadline. As the results begin to be reported, the outcome of these midterms will determine the balance of power in both chambers of Congress and the leadership of several state governments.