Americans vote in the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. According to a London School of Economics analysis of the 2026 calendar, all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for election. Results will not arrive all at once, and the timing depends on the state.
When polls close
According to several election guides, the first polls close at 6 p.m. Eastern Time in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The last polls close at 1 a.m. ET on November 4 in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Some states span two time zones, so closing times can differ within a state. Voters should check their state or county election office for the exact time at their polling place.
Why some results take days
Rules for counting mail ballots differ from state to state. PolitiFact reported in October that no state posts mail ballot results before polls close, although some states let election officials begin processing mail ballots before election day. Those rules affect how quickly a result becomes clear.
Certification comes later. The California Secretary of State says official results must be certified and posted by December 11, 2026.
What to watch
CBS News coverage this week has focused on several close Senate contests, including the races in Michigan and Texas. Early returns show only the votes counted so far. They can shift as more ballots are processed, so readers should wait for official counts and reliable projections before drawing conclusions.
How to follow results
- Check your state or county election office for official results and closing times.
- Compare projections from several news organizations, and note when a race has not been called.
- Wait for certification before treating a result as final.