Polls in the 2026 US midterm elections begin closing at 6pm ET, with the final polling places in Alaska and Hawaii expected to close at midnight. More than 56 million Americans had already voted early, with millions more expected to cast ballots on 3 November.

The elections include all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats and 36 governor’s races. Voters are also deciding on ballot measures covering issues including election administration and abortion access. Democrats are seeking to regain control of both chambers: they need four additional Senate seats for a 51-seat majority and at least 218 House seats.

The first polls to close, at 6pm ET, are in most of Indiana and Kentucky. Some locations in those states, which span two time zones, remain open until 7pm. At 7pm, polls close in most of Florida, Georgia, most of New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia, along with the remaining Indiana and Kentucky locations.

Several Senate contests are among the races to watch in that group. Florida Democrat Angie Nixon is challenging Republican incumbent Ashley Moody in a special election. In Georgia, first-term Democratic senator Jon Ossoff faces Republican congressman Mike Collins. South Carolina appointee Darline Graham is seeking a full term against Democrat Annie Andrews, while Republican John Sununu is challenging Democrat Chris Pappas for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat.

At 7.30pm ET, polls close in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. North Carolina’s open Senate race pits former governor Roy Cooper against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. In Ohio, former senator Sherrod Brown is seeking to defeat Republican Jon Husted in a special election.

A larger group of polls closes at 8pm ET. This includes Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington DC, Illinois, most of Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, most of Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, most of North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, most of South Dakota, Tennessee and most of Texas.

Michigan’s open Senate seat is being contested by Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and former Republican congressman Mike Rogers. In Maine, progressive candidate Troy Jackson is challenging Republican Susan Collins. Texas Democrat James Talarico is running against Republican attorney general Ken Paxton, while Kansas Democrat Adam Hamilton is seeking to unseat Republican Roger Marshall. Competitive House races are also being watched in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Arkansas polls close at 8.30pm ET.

At 9pm ET, polls close in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Remaining polling places in North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas also close then. Arizona’s contests include a governor’s race between incumbent Democrat Katie Hobbs and Republican Andy Biggs, as well as a competitive race for the state’s sixth congressional district. In Iowa, Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek are competing for an open Senate seat.

Almost all polls in Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah close at 10pm ET, as do many polling places in one Oregon county. Nevada’s governor’s race features Democratic attorney general Aaron Ford challenging Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo.

At 11pm ET, polls close in California, Washington state and most of Oregon. California’s governor’s race is between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton. In Washington, Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is defending her House seat.

Alaska and Hawaii bring the schedule to a close, with most polling places in both states expected to finish voting by midnight ET. Alaska’s Senate race is a key Democratic pickup opportunity: former congresswoman Mary Peltola is challenging Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.

Sources: The Guardian World.