When Will the U.S. Midterm Election Results Be Announced?

With the midterm elections finally here, millions of anxious Americans await the results of a vote that will shape the direction of the country for the next two years.

Here's a look at how election night results are expected to roll out, along with the poll closing times across all 50 states.

Election night rolling timeline (all times ET)

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: The earliest scattered precincts begin reporting in eastern Indiana and Kentucky. These heavily partisan early counts offer an initial look at turnout trends.

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Polls close across key eastern states, including Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio. Fast-counting states typically release large batches of early in-person and mail ballots shortly after poll close.

8 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Counts start pouring in from across the East Coast, Midwest, and South, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin. Clear, non-competitive races will be called immediately upon poll close, while competitive contests begin their multi-hour vote-tabulation process.

10 p.m. – 1 a.m.: As polls close in California, the Pacific Northwest, and finally Alaska and Hawaii, networks often assemble enough calls to project standard party holds and determine whether one party has reached the threshold to claim a majority in either congressional chamber.

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Midterm election poll close times

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