On Election Day, polling hours across the United States will vary greatly, with the first polls closing on the East Coast in Indiana and Kentucky at 6 p.m. ET. By the end of the day, voters in states like Alaska and Hawaii will be among the last to cast their ballots. Prior to polls closing, millions of Americans will have already participated in early voting, while a significant number are expected to vote in person on the day itself.
Poll closing times differ not only from state to state but also within various regions of the same state, as some jurisdictions may observe different time zones. For instance, Indiana has portions of its counties operating under Eastern Time, closing at 6 p.m. ET, while those in the Central Time Zone will close at 7 p.m. ET.
Here’s a summary of some key states and their poll closing times in Eastern Time:
– **Florida and Georgia:** 7 p.m. ET
– **Alabama, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Texas:** 8 p.m. ET
– **Arizona and Colorado:** 9 p.m. ET
– **California:** 11 p.m. ET
– **Alaska:** 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET (the last state to close)
In states like Arizona, results won’t be released until all precincts report or one hour after all polls close, adding to the anticipation.
Polling places provide an essential civic service, allowing citizens to express their voices in the democratic process, and this year’s dynamic around early voting and different closing times reflects an engaged electorate eager to participate.
Election Day is a moment of both responsibility and excitement, as citizens across the country come together to shape the future of their communities. It’s an opportunity to embrace the democratic process and motivate others to participate as well.