This story at a glance…

1. Polls close in waves from 5 p.m. to midnight Central.

2. Swing states like Georgia and Michigan close by 8 p.m.

3. Senate and House control hinge on races in key states.

4. Several states will vote on abortion rights measures.

Poll Closing Times: A Guide to Key Races Across the Nation

As Election Day unfolds, the timing of poll closings will play a pivotal role in understanding how the 2024 results take shape. Polls will begin to close at 5 p.m. Central and continue at regular intervals until midnight, with different states and regions closing at staggered times. This gradual stream of results will highlight critical local, state, and national races that could shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.

Early Closings in the Evening
5 p.m. Central Time: Indiana and Kentucky will be the first to close their polls, though only parts of each state due to different time zones. While these states lean solidly Republican in this election cycle, Indiana has seen Democratic efforts to influence the state legislature.

6 p.m. Central Time: Georgia will close its polls, representing one of the first key swing states in the presidential race. Known for close results in the past, Georgia will be watched closely. Virginia, meanwhile, has several competitive House races, and Florida’s ballot includes a referendum on abortion rights, which requires a supermajority to pass.

Swing States Start Closing
6:30 p.m. Central Time: North Carolina and Ohio will close their polls. North Carolina is a presidential battleground state, and Ohio’s Senate race is being watched as incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown faces Republican Bernie Moreno. Both states could see tight races that influence the balance of Congress.

7 p.m. Central Time: Polls close in several major states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Michigan and Pennsylvania, key parts of the “blue wall” in past elections, will be significant in the presidential race, as well as in Senate and House contests. Texas, while leaning Republican, has a potentially competitive Senate race with incumbent Ted Cruz defending his seat.

7:30 p.m. Central Time: Arkansas will close its polls at this time, though the state remains solidly Republican with little competition at the federal level.

Prime-Time Closings
8 p.m. Central Time: Several states will close, including Arizona and Wisconsin. Both are important swing states in the presidential election and are also hosting competitive Senate races. Other states, such as Colorado, Iowa, and New York, will have various House races, and abortion rights referendums are on the ballot in Arizona, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

9 p.m. Central Time: Nevada will close its polls, marking the final swing state to do so. Both Nevada and Montana feature Senate races that could affect the chamber's balance. Both states are also voting on abortion rights issues, a recurring ballot topic this cycle.

Late-Night Closings
10 p.m. Central Time: California, Oregon, and Washington polls close, with key House races in play that could impact control of Congress. However, California’s notoriously slow counting process may delay final results by days or even weeks.

11 p.m. Central Time: Hawaii will conclude voting at this time, though most races in the state are solidly Democratic. As the night progresses, the focus will likely remain on states that closed earlier and any remaining uncounted ballots.

Midnight Central Time: Alaska will be the final state to close its polls. Although generally a Republican state, Alaska will host a close House race as Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat, seeks re-election. Results could continue to flow in as the night wears on, especially if this year’s presidential race proves close.

Watching for Patterns and Timing in the Result
The speed at which results are announced may vary significantly by state due to different counting procedures, particularly regarding mail-in and early ballots. For instance, states counting mail-in ballots earlier in the day may show early leads for one party that later shift. In tight races, especially in swing states, these ballot-process variations could create changing leads throughout the evening.

Reflection
Election seasons bring change, often stirring both hope and uncertainty. Yet as Hebrews 10:23 reminds us, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Through every outcome and transition, we’re encouraged to cling to our faith, knowing that God’s promises remain unshaken. As we wait and watch, may we find peace in the assurance that His hand is on our nation and our lives, guiding us faithfully through each chapter.