Polls are open across the country, and the 2026 midterm election results will start arriving this evening. Control of Congress is on the line: all 435 House seats, 35 Senate races, governor contests in 36 states and three U.S. territories, plus ballot measures such as California’s proposed billionaire tax. Here is a simple guide to when polls close, when to expect calls, and where to watch.
2026 Midterm Election Results: When Polls Close
Poll closing times drive the order of the night. According to CBS News’ election-night guide, polls close at these Eastern times:
- 7 p.m. ET: Georgia and South Carolina
- 7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina and Ohio
- 8 p.m. ET: Florida, Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania
- 9 p.m. ET: Iowa, Kansas, Michigan and Texas (polling places in Central time zones close an hour earlier)
- 11 p.m. ET: California and several Western states
- Later still: Hawaii closes an hour after the West Coast, and most of Alaska closes at 1 a.m. ET
Times are for the close of polling in each state. Some states count mail ballots slowly, so a tight race may not be called on election night.
Why the Early Returns Can Mislead
The first numbers rarely tell the whole story. Different states count in-person votes, early votes and mail ballots in different orders, so a candidate can appear to lead early and then see the margin shift as more ballots are counted. The practical rule: wait for official calls from decision desks and treat any early lead in a close race as provisional.
Alaska: Don’t Expect a Fast Answer
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting. CBS reports that full ranked-choice results are not expected until 15 days after the election, which is November 18. That matters because the state’s Senate race is one of the contests being watched closely. If control of the Senate comes down to a narrow margin, a final answer could take longer than a single night.
How to Watch the Results Live
CBS says its “America Decides: Election 2026” special begins at 7 p.m. ET, with anchors Tony Dokoupil and Norah O’Donnell. A data-focused show, “Election 2026: The Nerd Show,” starts at 5 p.m. ET. Coverage streams free on CBS News 24/7, the CBS News app, Paramount+ and YouTube, and continues Wednesday on “CBS Mornings.” Other networks and news outlets are running their own live coverage, so pick the one you trust and keep a second source open.
What to Watch Tonight
- The House: all 435 seats are up, so early results from the East Coast set the tone for the night.
- The Senate: 35 races decide which party controls the chamber and the pace of nominations and legislation.
- Governor races: 36 states and three territories choose leaders who will shape state policy for years.
- Ballot measures: California’s proposed billionaire tax is among the measures getting national attention.
Your Election Night Checklist
- Confirm your own state’s poll closing time and make sure you are in line before it passes.
- Follow official state election websites for the most direct vote counts.
- Be patient with close races and expect some results to take days.
- Check for updates Wednesday morning, when many outstanding races are clearer.
For background on what is at stake, read our earlier explainer, 2026 Midterm Elections: What’s at Stake, Races to Watch and How to Follow Results. Looking for something to watch while you wait for the numbers? See what is new on Netflix this month.
Sources: CBS News, “How to watch live 2026 midterm election results on CBS News,” updated November 2, 2026. Results and call times are subject to change.
