UNITED STATES · MIDTERMS
Published Tuesday, 27 October, 3:35 a.m. ET · Source: US state election offices, Federal Election Commission, US Constitution
Key Facts
- —Election Day Tuesday, 3 November 2026; polls close from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time.
- —At stake All 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships are on the ballot.
- —New Congress Newly elected members take office at noon on 3 January 2027, as the Constitution sets.
Election Night Timeline
The first polls close at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, 3 November, in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. At 7 p.m. ET Georgia, Virginia, Vermont, South Carolina and most of Florida follow, and Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia close at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A large batch of states closes at 8 p.m. ET, followed by more at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, and the West Coast states close at 11 p.m. ET. Most of Alaska and Hawaii close around midnight ET, and the western Aleutian Islands close at 1 a.m. ET on 4 November.
Florida, North Carolina and Georgia usually count quickly because most voters cast ballots in person or early, and their deadlines for mail ballots are short. Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania can take longer, so calls in close races may not come until 4 November or later.
Races That Decide Control
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot, along with 36 governorships. Watch the Senate races in North Carolina, Alaska, Maine, Texas, Ohio and Iowa, and the Democratic-held seats in Georgia, Michigan and Minnesota.
What It Means For Latin America
Control of Congress will shape US policy on tariffs, remittances and immigration, which affect Latin American economies and households. The Latino vote matters in several competitive states.
What It Means for US Readers
No 2026 general-election results are available yet, and every projection is an estimate until states certify their counts. For readers in the United States, the hour-by-hour order above shows when the first signals on House and Senate control can realistically arrive.
What Is Not Known
No seat has been decided, and no projection can substitute for certified results. Turnout, vote totals, winners and margins are unknown.
The timing of calls in close races is uncertain because states use different rules for processing early, absentee and Election Day ballots. Recounts and certification can add days or weeks in the tightest contests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might some states take longer to report results?
States use different rules for processing early, absentee, and election-day ballots, which can slow the count. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania may take longer, particularly if margins are close, with calls possibly not coming until November 4 or later.
Sources: US state election offices, Federal Election Commission, US Constitution.
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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