Voters in New York and New Jersey head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, for the 2026 midterm elections, with both states opening their polling locations at 6 a.m. ET. However, the closing times are different: New York voters can cast their ballots until 9 p.m., while polling places in New Jersey close at 8 p.m.
The elections will determine the balance of power in Congress and decide several important state and local contests. Voters should check their assigned polling location before leaving home, since voting sites depend on their residential address and may change from one election to another.
Polling locations across New York State open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 3, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
Voters can cast their ballots at any time during those 15 hours, but they must go to their assigned Election Day polling place. The location is determined by their home address and election district.
New York City voters can check their assigned polling site through the city’s Board of Elections website. Residents elsewhere in the state can use the New York State Board of Elections voter lookup tool.
New York voting hours on November 3:
| Election information | Details |
|---|---|
| Polls open | 6 a.m. ET |
| Polls close | 9 p.m. ET |
| State | New York |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
Voters can find their assigned polling location through the New York State voter lookup tool. New York City residents can also visit the NYC Board of Elections for election information and polling-site details.
New Jersey polling locations also open at 6 a.m. ET, but they close at 8 p.m. ET, one hour earlier than those in New York.
The New Jersey Division of Elections confirms the statewide voting schedule for the November 3 general election. Residents should verify their assigned polling location before heading out, since voters must cast their ballots at the designated site for their address.
New Jersey voting hours on November 3:
| Election information | Details |
|---|---|
| Polls open | 6 a.m. ET |
| Polls close | 8 p.m. ET |
| State | New Jersey |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
New Jersey voters can look up their polling location through the New Jersey Voter Information Portal. The state’s Division of Elections also provides information about registration, mail-in ballots and Election Day procedures.
Voters who are already in line when their polling location closes can still cast their ballots.
In New York, anyone waiting in line by 9 p.m. is allowed to vote. In New Jersey, the same rule applies to voters who are in line by 8 p.m.
Election officials must allow those voters to complete the process, even if they reach the voting booth after the official closing time.
However, voters who arrive after the polls have closed cannot join the line to cast a ballot. For that reason, residents should plan their trip and allow enough time to reach their assigned polling place before the deadline.
Voters should confirm their assigned polling location before Election Day rather than assume that it is the same site they used in a previous election.
The official election websites provide lookup tools based on residential addresses.
New York:
New Jersey:
Voters should also check their registration status. The registration deadlines for the November 3 election were October 24 in New York and October 13 in New Jersey. Neither state offers same-day voter registration at the polling place for this election.
Voter identification requirements depend on the voter’s registration history.
In both states, people who have voted before generally do not need to present identification at the polling place. However, first-time voters who did not provide the required identification information when registering may need to show an accepted document.
Examples of identification or supporting documents may include a driver’s license, passport, non-driver identification card or other documents accepted under state election rules.
If a poll worker requests identification and the voter does not have it, the voter should ask about the available affidavit or provisional-ballot procedure. The ballot may require additional verification before it can be counted.
New York voters can consult the New York State Board of Elections for voter identification information. New Jersey residents can find election guidance through the Division of Elections.
The November 3 elections include congressional contests and important state races.
In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking another term against Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The state also has congressional races that will contribute to determining the composition of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In New Jersey, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker is seeking a third full term against Republican Justin Murphy. All 12 of the state’s U.S. House seats are also on the ballot.
One of the closely watched congressional contests is New Jersey’s 7th District, where Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is seeking another term against Democrat Rebecca Bennett.
The results in both states will contribute to the national contest for control of Congress, as voters across the country elect members of the House and a portion of the Senate.
Polling locations across New York open at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, November 3. Voters can cast their ballots until 9 p.m.
New Jersey polling places close at 8 p.m. ET on November 3, 2026. They open at 6 a.m.
No. Both states open their polling locations at 6 a.m. ET, but New York closes at 9 p.m. and New Jersey closes at 8 p.m.
Yes, if you were already in line at your polling location by 9 p.m. Election officials must allow voters who were waiting before the deadline to cast their ballots.
Yes, if you were already in line by the official 8 p.m. closing time. Voters who arrive after the polls close cannot join the line.
Use the New York State voter lookup portal. New York City residents can also check their assigned site through the NYC Board of Elections.
Use the New Jersey Division of Elections polling-place search to find the location assigned to your residential address.
Contenido GEC