Guide to Watching U.S. Election Night Results

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, voters in New York began early voting. Meanwhile, vote counting will begin Tuesday night and might take days or weeks. While the House could be determined sooner, the Senate is expected to take longer due to tight margins and competitive states. Seven states are notably competitive, and two use ranked-choice voting, which could delay results further.

Control of the House is unlikely to hinge on a single seat, but the Senate very well could. Here is a guide to watching the election night as polls close around the nation. Times are in Eastern Time, organized by the latest poll closure time.

7 p.m. ET: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont

In Georgia, eyes are on the Senate and gubernatorial races. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff seems likely to defeat Republican Rep. Mike Collins, while the governor’s race is competitive between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. New laws require counties to report results quickly, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

In South Carolina, the Senate race between Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews is unexpectedly tight. National polls call it a toss-up despite the state’s Republican lean.

7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia

North Carolina’s Republican-held Senate seat is a target for Democrats, with former Gov. Roy Cooper challenging Michael Whatley. Ohio showcases a deadlocked Senate race between Sen. Jon Husted and former Sen. Sherrod Brown. For Ohio’s governor, Amy Acton leads against venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy.

8 p.m. ET: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, D.C.

Polls close in more than half the country, with Republicans favored in Alabama, South Dakota, and Tennessee governor races, while Democrats lead in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In Maine, Democratic candidate Troy Jackson challenges Republican Sen. Susan Collins, while Florida’s governor race slightly favors Republicans despite a competitive Senate contest.

Pennsylvania’s House races lean toward Democrats. In New Hampshire, Rep. Chris Pappas holds an edge over former Sen. John Sununu.

8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas

Arkansas’s Senate race is not competitive, but shifts could indicate Democratic gains in unexpected areas. A key House race attracts Republican funding.

9 p.m. ET: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Polls close in major states, with attention on competitive Senate races in Michigan and Texas. Arizona’s gubernatorial race pits Gov. Katie Hobbs against Rep. Andy Biggs.

Republicans face challenges in traditionally red states like Iowa, Kansas, and Texas, with close Senate contests. Iowa’s governor race favors Democrat Rob Sand.

Michigan’s race features Democrat Abdul El-Sayed against Republican Mike Rogers, while Minnesota’s contest poses a long-shot target for Republicans.

10 p.m. ET: Montana, Nevada, Utah

In Montana, a toss-up House race features Democrat Sam Forstag against Republican Aaron Flint. Nevada’s gubernatorial race is tight between Gov. Joe Lombardo and Democrat Aaron Ford.

11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Voting concludes in the Pacific Northwest and California. California’s revamped congressional map affects House races, while Oregon’s governor race is competitive.

12 a.m. ET: Hawaii

This section could include updates as Hawaii concludes its voting.

1 a.m. ET: Alaska

Alaska finishes voting, featuring a toss-up Senate race. Multiple candidates create drama, while ranked-choice voting may delay the final results.