Poll opening times for election day
The gist
Election Day for the 2026 midterms is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with poll hours differing by state.
Voters in line at closing time can still cast a ballot in Illinois and North Carolina.
How it unfolded
- Oct 26, 2026WRVO publishes a Central and Upstate New York voter guide stating Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Oct 27, 2026WRAL reports North Carolina early in-person voting runs Oct. 15 through Oct. 31, with Election Day polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Oct 30, 2026The North Carolina State Board of Elections says more than 2,600 polling places will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3; The Dispatch reports Ohio polls run the same hours, with absentee ballots due by 7:30 p.m.