When Do Polls Close for the 2026 Midterm Elections?
Millions of Americans are casting their votes in person in the 2026 midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling times vary by state, and states will begin reporting election results after their polls close.
Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia offer early voting options, with the exception of Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. Eight states and Washington, D.C., automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter, although voters generally can still choose to vote in person. Over 57 million voters have already cast their ballots early this year.
If you are in line to cast your ballot before a site closes, you have the right to remain in line and vote. For more on voter rights, view a list of voter rights from the ACLU here.
What time do the first polls close on Election Day 2026?
The first polls close at 6 p.m. ET in the eastern parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Then, at 7 p.m. ET, polls close in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia, as well as in the rest of Indiana, Kentucky, and most of Florida. North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia follow at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Poll closing times vary by state. Here is a breakdown by hour:
- 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, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas (most of the state), Wisconsin, Wyoming
- 10 p.m. ET: Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah
- 11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
- 12 a.m. ET: Hawaii
- 1 a.m. ET: Alaska (most of the state)