Poll closing times in key battleground states vary due to different time zones and election laws. Here’s a general timeline and what to expect for ballot counting in these states:
Georgia – Polls close at 7 p.m. ET, and early results are often available within hours as early votes are counted quickly.
North Carolina – Polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET. Absentee and early voting totals are typically released shortly after polls close, but final results can take longer, especially if the race is close.
Florida – Most polls close at 7 p.m. ET, though some close at 8 p.m. due to different time zones. Florida is usually one of the first major battlegrounds to report significant results, with early and absentee votes counted quickly.
Ohio – Polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET. Early voting results are often reported first, while the rest of the count continues into the evening.
Pennsylvania – Polls close at 8 p.m. ET. Pennsylvania’s results may take time, as processing mail-in ballots can continue post-Election Day if they’re received within certain deadlines.
Arizona – Polls close at 9 p.m. ET. Counting in Arizona can extend over several days due to a high volume of mail-in ballots and a need to verify signatures.
Nevada – Polls close at 10 p.m. ET. Similar to Arizona, Nevada can take longer due to extensive mail-in ballot verification processes.
These times provide an initial view of when results might come in, but full results in close races may not be clear for days, especially in states like Pennsylvania and Arizona that handle a high volume of mail-in ballots and have specific verification procedures.