What Time Will 2026 Midterm Election Results Start Coming In? November 3 Timeline

The first results from the 2026 U.S. midterm elections are expected shortly after 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 3, when polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The first major wave of election returns will follow as voting locations close in Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states throughout the evening.

There is no single nationwide time for the release of election results. State and local election officials report their vote counts at different times, while news organizations such as the Associated Press, CNN and Decision Desk HQ make projections when the available information supports a reliable call. Some congressional races could remain undecided overnight or for several days.

The election will determine the composition of the U.S. House of Representatives and part of the Senate, making the results particularly important for the balance of power in Washington.

What time will the first 2026 midterm election results come in?

The first scheduled poll closings will take place at 6 p.m. ET in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The first vote totals and election projections may begin appearing shortly afterward, once local election offices release their initial counts.

At 7 p.m. ET, polls close in Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Vermont, along with parts of Indiana, Kentucky and Florida. North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia follow at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The next major wave arrives at 8 p.m. ET, when polling locations close in Pennsylvania, Maine, New Jersey, Massachusetts and several other states. At 9 p.m. ET, attention will turn to Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Iowa and other states.

These times indicate when polls close, not when official results will be available or when a winner will be declared. The Associated Press begins reporting election results as soon as they become available, potentially from the first statutory poll closing time.

2026 midterm election poll closing times by state

The following schedule covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, November 3. All times have been converted to Eastern Time (ET) to make it easier to follow the national election-night timeline.

Note: Some states span multiple time zones, so their polling locations do not all close simultaneously. New Hampshire also allows certain municipalities to keep their polling places open later. These are scheduled poll-closing times, not guaranteed result-publication times. Voters should check their local election office for the exact hours in their jurisdiction.

Georgia and North Carolina: Early states to watch on Election Night

Georgia will be one of the first major states to close its polls, at 7 p.m. ET. Its results will draw national attention because of the state’s competitive political landscape and congressional contests.

North Carolina follows at 7:30 p.m. ET, alongside Ohio and West Virginia. The state is particularly important to the national political picture because of its competitive Senate race. Early and mail ballots are expected to be among the first results reported after polls close.

Ohio will also be closely watched. Its initial returns may reflect the order in which counties report early, absentee and Election Day ballots, so early leads should not automatically be interpreted as final outcomes.

Pennsylvania, Florida and Maine: What to expect after 8 p.m. ET

At 8 p.m. ET, polls close in Pennsylvania, Florida’s Central Time Zone counties, Maine and several other states.

Pennsylvania is important because of its competitive House districts and its potential influence on the balance of power in Congress. Florida will also attract attention as election officials begin reporting results from one of the country’s largest voting populations.

Maine deserves particular attention because it uses ranked-choice voting in certain elections. If no candidate receives a majority in a qualifying contest, additional tabulation rounds may be necessary before a winner can be determined.

The speed of reporting will vary. In Maine, results are collected from local municipalities rather than through a single centralized election-night reporting system.

Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Texas: The 9 p.m. ET results window

The 9 p.m. ET window brings another important group of states into the election-night picture.

Michigan and Wisconsin are closely watched because of their competitive political environments and congressional races. Arizona will also draw attention as voters determine the outcome of federal and state contests.

Texas requires a special explanation because it spans two time zones. Most polling locations in the Central Time Zone close at 8 p.m. ET, while locations in the Mountain Time Zone close at 9 p.m. ET. Some congressional districts also have different closing times depending on their location.

The first returns from these states may not represent the final political balance. Election officials still need to count outstanding ballots, and the geographic distribution of the remaining vote can change the apparent margin between candidates.

When will California, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii report their results?

The western states will keep the election-night count going later into Tuesday.

Nevada’s polls close at 10 p.m. ET, while California and Washington close at 11 p.m. ET. Hawaii’s polls close at midnight ET on Wednesday, November 4. Alaska has different closing times depending on the local time zone, with the latest scheduled closures at 1 a.m. ET.

California’s large number of mail ballots can mean that a substantial portion of its vote remains outstanding after Election Night. Alaska may also take longer to determine certain results because of its mail-ballot procedures and ranked-choice voting system.

For that reason, the national picture may remain incomplete even after most polling locations have closed.

When will we know who won the House and Senate?

There is no fixed hour when the winners of the House and Senate elections will be announced.

News organizations use official vote totals, estimates of outstanding ballots and statistical analysis to determine whether a candidate has an insurmountable lead. The Associated Press and other election desks make projections when they conclude that the trailing candidate no longer has a realistic path to victory.

Some races may be called shortly after polls close. Others may remain too close to call throughout the night, particularly when the margin is narrow or large numbers of ballots remain uncounted.

The control of Congress could therefore remain uncertain into Wednesday, November 4, or longer if several decisive races are still unresolved.

Why could some 2026 midterm election results take days?

The time required to count ballots differs from state to state. Election laws determine when officials can begin processing mail ballots, how signatures are verified and when provisional or overseas ballots can be included in the count.

States with substantial mail voting may need additional time to process ballots. Close contests can also require further verification, recounts or additional tabulation procedures.

Votebeat’s October 30 analysis of the 2026 elections warns that it is possible voters will go to bed on Election Night without knowing who won control of the House or Senate. Its state-by-state guide uses the 2024 reporting patterns as a reference, while emphasizing that previous results cannot guarantee the timing of this year’s count.

It is also important to distinguish between preliminary vote totals, media projections and certified election results. Certification generally takes place after Election Day, once the required canvassing and verification procedures are completed.

Where can I follow the 2026 midterm election results live?

Voters can follow election-night coverage through national news organizations and official state election websites.

• Associated Press (AP): Vote counts, race calls and national election coverage.
• CNN: Live election coverage, state results and analysis of key congressional races.
• CBS News: Election-night broadcasts and live results coverage.
• Decision Desk HQ: Election data and projections.
• State election offices: Official vote totals, local reporting and certification updates.

For the most accurate picture, compare media projections with official state and county election reports. A projected winner is a journalistic assessment, not the same as a certified result.

Frequently asked questions about the 2026 midterm election results

What time will the first 2026 midterm election results come in?

The first results are expected shortly after 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 3, when polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The exact time when vote totals become available depends on local election offices.

What state reports the first election results?

Parts of Indiana and Kentucky have the first scheduled poll closings, at 6 p.m. ET. Their initial vote totals may provide the first election-night results.

What time do polls close in Georgia and North Carolina?

Georgia’s polls close at 7 p.m. ET. North Carolina’s polling locations close at 7:30 p.m. ET on November 3.

What time do polls close in California and Texas?

California’s polls close at 11 p.m. ET. In Texas, most Central Time locations close at 8 p.m. ET, while Mountain Time locations close at 9 p.m. ET.

Will we know who controls Congress on Election Night?

Not necessarily. Some House and Senate races may be projected on Tuesday night, but close contests and outstanding ballots could delay the determination of which party controls Congress.

Are the 2026 midterm election results official on November 3?

No. Election-night totals are generally unofficial. State and local election officials must complete their canvassing and certification procedures before results become official.