The earliest polls in the United States for the 2026 midterm elections are due to open in Vermont at 5:00 a.m. local time, which is 10:00 GMT. That marks the first opportunity on election day for voters in the country to cast ballots.
Why opening and closing times differ
Polling hours in the US are set at the state or local level, so opening and closing times vary widely across the country. Time-zone differences mean that after polls open in the East, voting stations will open later in the day in central, mountain and Pacific time zones. Conversely, contests on the West Coast will be among the last to begin and to close.
What voters should check
Because hours are not uniform, election officials and news organisations advise voters to confirm opening and closing times with their local election office or state website. Rules for absentee or early voting, identification requirements and procedures for voters arriving near closing time also differ by state and locality.
Reporting and international audiences
Media outlets and electoral authorities often report results using local times, and many provide GMT or other international-time conversions for global audiences. International observers and overseas voters are advised to convert local opening and closing times carefully to ensure they know when polling places are accessible in their areas.