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NOV. 3 · ELECTION 2026
Poll times, slow states and what a race call means.
Photo: Paul Sableman / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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§ 1 · MIDTERMS
Parts of Indiana and Kentucky close first. Alaska closes last, after midnight ET.
Photo: Lorie Shaull / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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§ 2 · MIDTERMS
At least 33 states can scan mail ballots before Election Day. Pennsylvania starts that morning.
Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 3 · MIDTERMS
California and Oregon accept ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 that arrive up to 7 days later.
Photo: Lorie Shaull / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
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§ 4 · MIDTERMS
A news call is a projection. States certify official results weeks later.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
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§ 5 · MIDTERMS
A slow count means states are verifying ballots, not that something is wrong.
Photo: Beethoven / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Election night timeline, slow states and where to get official results.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (credits on each page)