Staggered poll closures begin at 6 p.m. ET as millions vote in 2026 midterms

Polls begin closing at 6 p.m. Eastern Time tonight in the eastern parts of Indiana and Kentucky as millions of Americans cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. Early voting is available in 47 states and the District of Columbia; only Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire lack that option. Eight states plus Washington, D.C., automatically mail a ballot to every registered voter, though voters may still choose to appear in person. More than 57 million voters have already voted early this year, showing strong participation before Election Day. Voters who are still in line when a polling site shuts its doors retain the legal right to stay and vote, a protection highlighted by the ACLU. After the 6 p.m. closures, polls close at 7 p.m. ET in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, the rest of Indiana and Kentucky, and most of Florida. A further wave of closures comes at 7:30 p.m. ET in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. States will start reporting results once their polls close, creating a rolling tally across the nation. ## Context These staggered closing times help manage reporting logistics and reflect the country’s wide span of time zones, while the broad early‑voting and mail‑in options aim to increase turnout and reduce crowding at polling places.