Election hours vary by state and even by county or municipality, so the exact closing time depends on where you are voting. Here are the most common patterns and how to verify yours:
- General rule of thumb: many polling places in the U.S. open around 7:00 a.m. local time and close between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time on Election Day. If you are in line when polls close, you are usually allowed to vote.
- Some states have later or earlier closing times, and a few jurisdictions start voting later in the day or have extended hours for certain elections or locations.
- Special cases: a handful of counties or towns may have different start times (as early as 5:00 a.m. or as late as 9:00 a.m.) or different closing times (e.g., 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., or 9:00 p.m.). During early voting periods, hours are often longer.
What you should do now:
- Check your official election office website or state election portal for your exact polling place hours on Election Day.
- If you’re in Texas (or another state you’re voting in), look up your polling place and hours through your state’s official election site or your local county clerk/elections office.
- If you’re unsure of your registration status or polling location, use the official election resources to confirm before you go.
If you’d like, share your state or county, and the exact election date, and I can give you the precise closing time for your area based on official sources.
