Honestly, trying to figure out what time is the presidential election is a bit of a headache because the U.S. doesn't have a single "start" or "stop" button for voting. You've got 50 states plus D.C., and they all basically play by their own rules. If you’re looking ahead to the 2028 Presidential Election, mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 7, 2028.
But "what time" the polls open and close is where it gets tricky. In some places, you can literally go vote while the sun is still coming up at 6:00 a.m., while in others, the poll workers are barely getting their coffee ready by 8:00 a.m.
Most polls across the country will close between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time. However, if you are in a state like Indiana or Kentucky, things wrap up remarkably early at 6:00 p.m. On the flip side, New York stays open until 9:00 p.m. If you’re standing in line when the clock strikes the closing hour, don't leave. Law legally requires that if you are in line by the closing time, you must be allowed to vote.
What Time Is The Presidential Election Polling Window?
The window varies wildly. Most states kick things off at 7:00 a.m., but there are early birds and late bloomers.
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In Arizona, polls are generally open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Over in California, you’ve got a much wider evening window, with polls staying open until 8:00 p.m. It’s a similar story in Illinois, where the day starts early at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m.
Texas is a big one to watch. Most of the state follows a 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. schedule, but because parts of West Texas are in the Mountain Time Zone, the final polls in the state don't actually close until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Florida also splits its time. Most of the Sunshine State closes at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, but the Panhandle—which is on Central Time—doesn't finish until an hour later. This often leads to that awkward hour on news broadcasts where they have some data but can't "call" the state yet.
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East Coast Closing Times (Eastern Time)
- Georgia: 7:00 p.m.
- Virginia: 7:00 p.m.
- North Carolina: 7:30 p.m.
- Ohio: 7:30 p.m.
- Pennsylvania: 8:00 p.m.
- New Jersey: 8:00 p.m.
- New York: 9:00 p.m.
Central and Mountain Closing Times
- Arkansas: 7:30 p.m.
- Colorado: 7:00 p.m.
- Michigan: 8:00 p.m. (Most of the state is ET, but small parts are CT).
- Wisconsin: 8:00 p.m.
- Arizona: 7:00 p.m. (They don't do Daylight Saving, so this is 9:00 p.m. ET).
West Coast and Beyond
- Washington: 8:00 p.m.
- Oregon: 8:00 p.m.
- Hawaii: 7:00 p.m. (Which is midnight on the East Coast).
- Alaska: 8:00 p.m. (Some polls close as late as 1:00 a.m. ET).
Why These Times Actually Matter for the Results
You might wonder why we obsess over these specific minutes. It’s because of the "Election Night" rhythm. Networks cannot release exit poll data or projected winners for a state until every single poll in that specific state has officially closed.
This is why you'll see a massive dump of data right at 8:00 p.m. ET. That’s when a huge block of states—including heavyweights like Pennsylvania and several New England states—all shut their doors at once.
If you are looking for when we will know who won, that is a different story entirely. In modern elections, the "time" of the election is really just the start of a multi-day counting process. Mail-in ballots, which became massive during the 2020 and 2024 cycles, often take longer to verify. States like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have historically had rules that prevent them from even opening those mail-in envelopes until Election Day morning.
What About Early Voting and Mail-in Deadlines?
The "time" of the election has sort of stretched into an "election season." Most states now offer some form of early in-person voting or no-excuse mail-in balloting.
For example, in Georgia, early voting usually starts weeks before the actual Tuesday deadline. If you’re mailing a ballot, the "time" is usually defined by the postmark. Most states require the ballot to be postmarked by Election Day, but a few require it to actually be in the hands of the election office by the time polls close.
Check your specific county’s website. Seriously. Rules change. In 2026, we’ve already seen several states tweak their drop-box hours and identification requirements.
Actionable Steps for Election Day
Don't wait until 6:45 p.m. to figure out where you're going.
- Verify your registration at least 30 days before November 7, 2028. States like Texas and Florida have strict 30-day cutoff points.
- Locate your specific precinct. Your polling place for a local election might be different from the one used for the Presidential race.
- Bring the right ID. Some states accept a student ID or a utility bill; others, like Indiana, are very strict about government-issued photo IDs.
- Check the weather. It sounds silly, but long lines in the rain have historically lowered turnout in key districts.
- Know your rights. If the machine malfunctions or you are challenged by a poll watcher, ask for a provisional ballot.
The best time to vote is usually mid-morning, around 10:00 a.m., or mid-afternoon, around 2:00 p.m. These windows typically miss the "before work" and "after work" rushes. If you have to go during peak hours, bring a portable phone charger and some water. You might be there a while.