Your Essential Election Night Guide

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Get ready for Election Night with key resources and updates to track the results live.

Election Day has arrived, and voters across the nation are heading to the polls to make their voices heard. As we wait for the returns, the stakes couldn't be higher—control of both the House and Senate hangs in the balance, impacting the trajectory of the next two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.

In order for the Democrats to take control, they need to secure three additional seats in the House and four in the Senate. As the evening progresses, we’ve compiled essential links and resources to help you stay informed about polling results.

Stay Updated with NBC News

For a comprehensive look at Election Night, NBC News has prepared various tools and guides:

  • Viewing Essentials: Ben Kamisar and Bridget Bowman provide a detailed roadmap for Election Night viewing, including poll closing times across the country, early indicators, and key battlegrounds to closely monitor.
  • Exit Poll Insights: Stephanie Perry details how NBC News conducts its Exit Polls, shedding light on how these results inform projections.
  • Decision Desk Explanation: Analysts John Lapinski, Stephen Pettigrew, and Marc Trussler reveal the critical factors that will lead to understanding which party has triumphed in both chambers.
  • Kornacki Cam: Join Steve Kornacki for live updates at the Big Board, with coverage kicking off at 5:30 p.m. ET, leading into NBC's primetime reporting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
  • Results Pages: Direct links to our live results can be accessed for both Senate and House races, as well as gubernatorial outcomes.
  • Live Blog: Don’t miss out on our live blog for minute-by-minute updates as the night unfolds.

Key Poll Closing Times

It’s important to mark your calendars for these crucial poll closing times:

  1. 7 p.m. ET: Georgia, Indiana (select areas), Kentucky (select areas), South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
  2. 7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia
  3. 8 p.m. ET: Alabama, Connecticut, D.C., Florida (select areas), Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee
  4. 8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas
  5. 9 p.m. ET: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas (select areas), Louisiana, Michigan (select areas), Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota (select areas), South Dakota (select areas), Texas (select areas), Wisconsin, Wyoming
  6. 10 p.m. ET: Montana, Nevada, Utah
  7. 11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho (select areas), Oregon (select areas), Washington
  8. 12 a.m. ET: Hawaii
  9. 1 a.m. ET: Alaska (select areas)

Staying Informed Throughout the Night

As you follow the results, here are some trending stories to keep an eye on:

  • Weather Disruptions: Severe weather—including flash floods and tornado warnings—has resulted in polling place relocations in some areas.
  • Election Monitoring: This year, the Justice Department has deployed a historic number of election monitors across all 50 states to ensure a smooth voting process.
  • Ballot Issues Reported: Voter concerns were heightened in Westchester County due to malfunctioning ballot tabulators, prompting discussions online.
  • Supreme Court Decisions: The Supreme Court acted swiftly to reject a call from the administration regarding the separation of suspected noncitizen ballots in California.

That wraps up our special coverage for Election Night! Make sure to stay tuned for updates, and don't miss tomorrow's newsletter for a detailed breakdown of the key race outcomes.

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