Election Night, Hour by Hour: When the Polls Close, What Gets Counted First, and Why Some Races Will Take Days
Tuesday's results will roll in from east to west starting at 6 p.m. Eastern. Here is the Altas guide to poll-closing times, the states that count fast and slow, and how to read the night without getting fooled.
By Clara Hughes
Four days from now, Americans finish choosing the next Congress, dozens of governors and thousands of state and local officials. Millions have already made their choice: about 44.8 million ballots had been cast nationwide as of Thursday evening — some 23.6 million in person and 21.3 million by mail — according to University of Florida Election Lab figures cited by CBS News. The rest will vote Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here is how the night will unfold, and how to watch it like a pro. A quick note on time: daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, so all Eastern times below are Eastern Standard Time. Times are drawn from VoteClock's state-by-state table, which it says is checked against each state's official sources. Polling hours can vary by county or town, and some states span two time zones — always confirm your own polling place with your county or state election office. And remember: if you are in line when the polls close, stay in line. You can still vote. The hour-by-hour map (all times Eastern) 6 p.m. — The first polls close, in most of Indiana and Kentucky (6 p.m. local time). Parts of both states on Central time