Midterm elections 2026: Poll closing times and key races across the US
An hour-by-hour guide to poll closing times across the United States as voters decide control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
Voters across the United States are casting their ballots as the midterm elections 2026 unfold, with millions already having voted early. Across the country, voters are deciding the fate of all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governors' races, alongside several ballot measures concerning topics like abortion access and election administration.
Democrats are aiming to take back both chambers of Congress. To achieve this, they need a net gain of four seats to reach a 51-seat majority in the Senate and at least 218 seats to control the House. Meanwhile, Republicans are defending their current majorities despite national headwinds, facing issues such as an affordability crisis from the Iran war, an immigration crackdown, a trade war, and low polling numbers for Donald Trump.
Over 56 million Americans cast early ballots ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
Hour-by-Hour Poll Closings
Poll closing times vary by state and time zone. The initial wave of closings begins in Indiana and Kentucky, where most polls close at 6:00 pm ET, though some areas in the central time zone remain open until 7:00 pm ET. The next phase brings closures in most of Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia at 7:00 pm ET.
Significant Senate contests are underway in these early-closing states. In Florida, Democrat Angie Nixon is challenging Republican incumbent Ashley Moody in a special election. In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff faces a challenge from Republican Mike Collins. South Carolina features a race between Democratic nominee Annie Andrews and Darline Graham, appointed to finish her late brother Lindsey Graham's term. In New Hampshire, former GOP Senator John Sununu is running against Congressman Chris Pappas for an open seat.
North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia close their polls at 7:30 pm ET. In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley for an open Senate seat. Ohio hosts a special Senate election with former Senator Sherrod Brown running against Republican Jon Husted.
A large wave of poll closures occurs at 8:00 pm ET across states including Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Key matchups include Michigan's open Senate seat race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, Maine's contest between Troy Jackson and Republican Susan Collins, and Texas where Democrat James Talarico faces Attorney General Ken Paxton. Kansas also features a competitive Senate race between Adam Hamilton and Republican Roger Marshall.
Competitive House and gubernatorial races are also taking place in states like Arizona, where Governor Katie Hobbs seeks re-election against Andy Biggs, and Iowa, where a close Senate contest features Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek.
Why it matters
The outcome of these races will determine which political party controls the legislative agenda in the United States Congress. The shift in power in either the House or the Senate will impact federal policy direction, legislative priorities, and the implementation of national programs.