States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

The first closures are in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. (The western half of Kentucky and two small western reaches of Indiana — that is, the parts of the states that fall on Central Time instead of Eastern — will remain open for another hour.)

Nothing competitive is happening at the federal level in either state. They are both Republican in the presidential race, and there is no close contest in the House or Senate, although Democrats are trying to break the Republican supermajority in the Indiana Legislature.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

This hour brings our first swing-state shutdown, in Georgia. It is one of seven key states in the presidential race, and it is counting votes quite quickly, but a close race – President Biden won Georgia in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes – could still mean a long wait for a winner.

In Virginia, there are competitive House races in the second and seventh districts, and in Florida, Democrats have a long-term shot at flipping a Senate seat. We will also closely monitor the results of a referendum that would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution; a supermajority of 60 percent is needed to pass. Please note that polls will be open for another hour in part of the state’s conservative Panhandle.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

North Carolina and Ohio are the most important states here. The polls are also closing in West Virginia right now.

North Carolina is one of the seven presidential swing states. The governor’s race is also being closely watched, although it may be less competitive than initially expected due to the scandals surrounding Republican candidate Mark Robinson. Although Ohio is not competitive in the presidential election, it is one of the states where control of the Senate will be decided: Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Bernie Moreno.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

This is a big one, with polls closing in a slew of states, including the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. (A few counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are still open for another hour.) These are two of the three “blue wall” states that Donald Trump flipped in 2016 but that President Biden won in 2020, and which very well could determine the outcome of this year’s presidential election. They also both have competitive Senate races and multiple close House races.

There is also a potentially competitive Senate race in Texas, where Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, is favored to win reelection but could fall if Democrats have a particularly strong night. And Missouri has a referendum on abortion rights.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

Polls are currently closing in Arkansas, but the state, which is solidly Republican, has no competitive races at the federal level.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

Arizona and Wisconsin are two of the most important states to watch right now. They will be the fifth and sixth of the presidential swing states to end voting, leaving only Nevada open, and both also have competitive Senate races.

Also keep an eye on Nebraska – it is, along with Maine, the only states that have divided their electoral votes by congressional district, and the Second District leans Democratic, but not overwhelmingly. If Trump were to win that district, it would be a good sign for him. There are also several House races to pay attention to in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico and New York, and referendums on abortion rights in Arizona, Nebraska and South Dakota.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

The polls have now closed in all seven presidential swing states, with Nevada – also home to a competitive Senate campaign – at the back of the pack.

Also important is Montana, where the outcome of the Senate race between Democratic incumbent Jon Tester and his Republican challenger, Tim Sheehy, could determine control of the chamber. Montanans and Nevadans also both vote on referendums on abortion rights.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

It’s all about Congress in the states that are closing now. There are at least 10 competitive House races between California, Oregon and Washington, more than enough to be decisive for control of the chamber. But don’t expect results quickly. California is notorious for its slow vote count. In previous election cycles, some races have not been called more than a week after Election Day.

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

The polls are now closed in Hawaii, but there is nothing to see there; the elections for the President, Senate and House of Representatives are all solidly Democratic. Continue to monitor states that have previously closed. Or are you thinking about going to sleep?

States where polling stations are currently closing

What to watch

Seven hours after the first polls close in the Eastern Time Zone, Alaska will end the night. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is fighting for re-election in a red state.

Results will continue to roll in, from Alaska and the rest of the country, long after the last voter has gone home. If one candidate wins comfortably, we may have enough information at this point to know. But if the election is as close as the polls suggest, we could be waiting much longer.