Polls open times vary by state and locality, but on Election Day in the United States they typically open between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time and close between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time. Some jurisdictions allow later closing or have a cutoff for voters in line at closing time, so it’s important to check your specific polling place. Key points to determine your exact hours:
- Your state and county or city election office may set opening hours that differ from the general rule. Many places open at 7:00 a.m. local time, but a subset may start as early as 6:00 a.m. or as late as 8:00 a.m., depending on local law.
- Closing times commonly range from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. Some areas extend voting for voters who are in line at closing time.
- If you’re voting in New York City, polls typically run from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, with in-line voters counted if they’re in line by 9:00 p.m.
How to confirm your exact hours:
- Visit your state or local election office website or use a trusted election information portal (e.g., Vote.gov or your city’s Board of Elections page) and search for “polling place hours” for Election Day.
- Check your polling place address to verify its hours, as some polling sites have different hours than others within the same state.
- If you will be in town or traveling, consider voting early or requesting an absentee ballot if your jurisdiction allows, to avoid last-minute issues.
If you’d like, provide your state and county, and the exact date of the election, and I can give you the precise opening and closing times for your area.
