Millions of Americans cast ballots Tuesday in the 2026 midterm elections, with polling locations open and closing at varying times across states. Voters in 47 states and D.C. had early voting options, while eight states and D.C. automatically mailed ballots to all registered voters.
Polls opened as early as 5 a.m. ET in Vermont and closed between 6 p.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET, depending on the state. Twenty states recognized Election Day as a state or legal holiday, though policies on employee time off varied. Below are the key details for voters.
Poll Hours by State
Polling times differ by state, with some locations opening as early as 5 a.m. ET and others closing as late as 11 p.m. ET. The following breakdown highlights opening and closing times:
Earliest Openings (5 a.m. ET)
- Vermont
6 a.m. ET Openings
- Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Virginia
6:30 a.m. ET Openings
- North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia
7 a.m. ET Openings
- Delaware, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina
8 a.m. ET Openings
- Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin
8:30 a.m. ET Openings
- Arkansas
9 a.m. ET Openings
- Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
10 a.m. ET Openings
- California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon
11 a.m. ET Openings
- Alaska, Washington
12 p.m. ET Openings
- Hawaii
Closing Times (Eastern Time Equivalent)
- 6 p.m. ET: Indiana (most), Kentucky (eastern)
- 7 p.m. ET: Florida (most), Georgia, Indiana (northwestern), Kentucky (western), New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
- 7:30 p.m. ET: West Virginia, Ohio
- 8 p.m. ET: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida (Panhandle), Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan (most), Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota (county-dependent), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota (eastern), Tennessee, Texas (most)
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas
- 9 p.m. ET: Arizona (Navajo Nation observes DST), Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota (western), Texas (El Paso/Hudspeth), Wisconsin
- 10 p.m. ET: Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho (southern)
- 11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho (northern), Oregon, Washington
Note: Voters in line when polls close have the right to remain in line and cast their ballots.
Election Day as a State Holiday
Election Day is not a federal holiday, but 20 states and D.C. recognize it as a state or legal holiday, with varying implications for businesses and workers:
State Holidays (Government offices typically closed)
- Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New York, Rhode Island, West Virginia
Legal Holidays (State law designates the day, but closures vary)
- Additional states may observe Election Day as a legal holiday without full closures.
Time Off to Vote
Even in states without Election Day as a holiday, 28 states and D.C. require employers to provide time off to vote, though rules differ:
- Paid time off: Some states, like Washington, D.C., mandate paid leave.
- Unpaid time off: Others, such as New York, allow unpaid leave.
- Varied requirements: The amount of time off and eligibility criteria differ by state.
Voter Access and Early Voting
- Early voting was available in 47 states and D.C., with Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire as exceptions.
- Eight states and D.C. automatically mailed ballots to all registered voters, though in-person voting remained an option.
- Over 57 million voters cast early ballots ahead of Election Day.
Key Takeaways for Voters
- Check your state’s poll hours to avoid missing the window to vote.
- Confirm your eligibility for time off if your state requires employers to provide voting leave.
- Know your rights: Voters in line when polls close must be allowed to vote.