By Sohaib Shams
Voters across the United States head to the polls on November 3, 2026, for midterm elections that will decide 35 Senate seats, 36 governors' races, all 435 House seats, and numerous ballot measures. More than 56 million Americans have already cast early ballots, with millions more expected to vote on Election Day. Polls close on a rolling schedule from 6 p.m. ET to midnight ET, and several high-profile contests could determine control of Congress.
6 p.m. ET: First polls close in Indiana and Kentucky
The majority of polling places in Indiana and Kentucky close at 6 p.m. ET, though portions of both states in the Central time zone remain open until 7 p.m. ET.
7 p.m. ET: Six states close polls, including Florida and Georgia
Polls close in most of Florida, Georgia, most of New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia. Key Senate races include Florida's special election where Democrat Angie Nixon challenges Republican incumbent Ashley Moody, and Georgia where Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff faces Trump-endorsed Representative Mike Collins. In South Carolina, appointed Senator Darline Graham seeks a full term against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews. New Hampshire features an open Senate seat with former Republican Senator John Sununu challenging Representative Chris Pappas.
7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia close
North Carolina's open Senate seat pits former Governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley. Ohio hosts a special Senate election with former Senator Sherrod Brown attempting a comeback against Republican Jon Husted. West Virginia also closes polls at this hour.
8 p.m. ET: 19 states and D.C. close polls
A wave of closures includes Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Illinois, most of Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, most of Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, most of North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, most of South Dakota, Tennessee, and most of Texas. Marquee Senate races include Michigan's open seat between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and former Republican Representative Mike Rogers, Maine where progressive Troy Jackson challenges five-term Republican Susan Collins, and Texas where Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico faces Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Kansas sees Adam Hamilton challenging Republican Roger Marshall for the state's first Democratic Senate seat in nearly a century. Competitive House races are also watched in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
9 p.m. ET: Ten more states close, including Arizona, Iowa, Wisconsin
Polls close in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, plus remaining locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas. Arizona features a competitive Sixth Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, and a gubernatorial contest where Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs faces Republican Representative Andy Biggs. Iowa's open Senate seat matches Republican Representative Ashley Hinson against Democratic state lawmaker Josh Turek, while the gubernatorial race pits Democratic Auditor Rob Sand against Republican Zach Lahn.
10 p.m. ET: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah close
Almost all polls close in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah, along with some locations in Oregon. Nevada's gubernatorial race draws attention as Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford challenges Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in a state Trump won in 2024.
11 p.m. ET: California and West Coast states close
Polls close in California, where former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra faces Republican Steve Hilton for governor. Most polls close in Oregon, and all polls close in Washington state. In Washington, Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez seeks reelection in a district Trump carried in the last three presidential elections.
Midnight ET: Final polls close in Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska and Hawaii wrap up voting by midnight ET. Alaska's Senate race is a key Democratic pickup opportunity, with former Representative Mary Peltola leading Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan amid voter frustration over energy prices linked to the Iran war. The race has drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration, which sought to delay certification if Sullivan lost, though a federal judge rejected that effort.
