Millions of American voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to participate in the midterm elections. Voters are reminded that if they are already in line at a polling location before it officially closes, they maintain the legal right to remain in line and cast their ballot.
Voting hours vary significantly by state across the country. The earliest polls open at 5 a.m. ET in Vermont. Shortly after, at 6 a.m. ET, voting begins in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. The final polls of the day are scheduled to open at 11 a.m. ET in Alaska and Washington, followed by Hawaii at 12 p.m. ET.
Poll closing times also differ based on location. The first closures occur at 6 p.m. ET in the eastern regions of Indiana and Kentucky. At 7 p.m. ET, polls close in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, the remainder of Indiana and Kentucky, and most of Florida. The final wave of closures mentioned includes North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
If you are in line to cast your ballot before a site closes, you have the right to remain in line and vote. View a list of voter rights from the ACLU here.
