what time does voting close: trending now
03-11-2026
What Time Does Voting Close: State-by-State Poll Closing Times Guide
Voting closing times vary significantly by state and local jurisdiction, generally shutting down between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time on Election Day. Because the United States spans multiple time zones, polls close in staggered waves when converted to Eastern Time (ET).
News From The States+ 1Poll Closing Schedule (Eastern Time Overview)
6:00 p.m. ET: The earliest closures occur in parts of eastern Indiana and eastern Kentucky.
CBS News7:00 p.m. ET: Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, the remainder of Indiana and Kentucky, and most of Florida.
CBS News7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.
CBS News8:00 p.m. ET: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Alabama.
PBS8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas.
CBS News9:00 p.m. ET: New York, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
PBS10:00 p.m. ET: Nevada, Montana, Utah, and parts of Idaho.
PBS11:00 p.m. ET: California, Washington, Oregon, and northern Idaho.
CBS News12:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. ET: Hawaii and Alaska close out national in-person voting.
PBS
Key Voting Rules to Keep in Mind
The In-Line Rule: Under federal and state voting laws, if you are in line at your designated polling station before the official closing time, you are legally entitled to cast your ballot. Stay in line even if the official hour passes.
News From The StatesSplit Time Zones: Several states (including Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas) span two time zones. Polling places in those states close according to their local municipal time zone.