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Poll Closing Time by State 2024

Poll Closing Time by State 2024

Poll closing times vary across the United States, reflecting the diverse election laws and procedures implemented by each state. These closing times range from as early as 6:00 pm in some states to as late as 12:00 am in others. The timing of poll closures can have significant implications for voter turnout and the reporting of election results.

The history of poll closing times is intertwined with efforts to ensure fair and transparent elections. Over time, states have adjusted their closing times based on factors such as population size, geographic considerations, and historical voting patterns. Additionally, changes in technology and communication methods have influenced the timing of poll closures, as states strive to provide timely and accurate election results to the public.

In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny and debate surrounding poll closing times, particularly regarding their potential impact on voter access and participation. Some advocates argue for uniform poll closing times across all states to promote consistency and fairness, while others emphasize the importance of states' rights to determine their own election procedures.

Poll Closing Time by State 2024

50 Rows

State
Poll Closing Time (Local)
Poll Closing Time (CST)
Mail Ballot Count Begins
Recount Procedure
Alaska12:00 am11:00 pm (most), 12:00 am7 days before Election DayA tie vote triggers an automatic recount, or a losing candidate or group of voters may request one.
Hawaii11:00 pm11:00 pmWhenever ballots are returned100 votes or less, or a margin of 0.25% of the total votes cast, trigger an automatic recount.
California10:00 pm10:00 pm29 days before Election DayAn election official may request a recount, as may voters. A court could also order one.
Idaho10:00 pm09:00 pm (most), 10:00 pm (panhandle)Whenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount.
Oregon10:00 pm09:00 pm (partial), 10:00 pm (most)Whenever ballots are returnedA margin of not more than 0.2% triggers an automatic recount. Candidates, political parties or certain voters may request a recount in specified precincts.
Washington10:00 pm10:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedIf the margin is both less than 2,000 and less than 0.5% of the total vote, an automatic recount is triggered. Otherwise, candidates or certain party officials may request a recount.
Arizona09:00 pm08:00 pm (partial), 09:00 (most)Whenever ballots are returnedA margin of less than or equal to 0.5% of the votes cast triggers an automatic recount. State courts may otherwise order recounts.
Montana09:00 pm09:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate who loses by 0.25% or less may request a recount.
Nevada09:00 pm09:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA losing candidate, and some voters, may request a recount.
Utah09:00 pm09:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount if the margin is equal to or less than .0.25%.
Colorado08:00 pm08:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA margin of less than or equal to 0.5% of the votes cast triggers an automatic recount. A losing candidate or political party may also request one.
Iowa08:00 pm08:00 pmOn Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Kansas08:00 pm07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount.
Louisiana08:00 pm08:00 pm3 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Michigan08:00 pm07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm2 days before Election DayA margin of 2,000 votes or less in a statewide election triggers an automatic recount. Candidates for certain offices may request a recount if they allege fraud or a mistake.
Minnesota08:00 pm08:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount.
Nebraska08:00 pm08:00 pm13 days before Election DayA margin of 1% or less will trigger an automatic recount. A losing candidate may also request one.
New Mexico08:00 pm08:00 pm14 days before Election DayA margin of less than 0.25% triggers an automatic recount. Candidates may also request a recount.
New York08:00 pm08:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA margin of either 0.5% or less, or less than 5,000 if at least a million votes are cast, triggers an automatic recount.
North Dakota08:00 pm07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm5 days before Election DayIf the margin is 0.5% or less an automatic recount is triggered. If the margin is higher than 0.5% but lower than 2%, a candidate may request one.
South Dakota08:00 pm07:00 pm (eastern), 08:00 (western)On Election DayA tie vote triggers an automatic recount. In other races, a candidate may request a recount generally if the margin is within 0.25%.
Texas08:00 pm07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm20 days before Election DayA tied vote triggers an automatic recount. A candidate may request a recount if the margin is within 10% or if the Secretary of State certifies that errors occurred.
Wisconsin08:00 pm08:00 pmOn Election DayCandidates or certain voters may request a recount.
Wyoming08:00 pm08:00 pm6 days before Election DayWhen the margin is within 1% an automatic recount is triggered. Otherwise, candidates may request one.
Arkansas07:30 pm07:30 pm7 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Alabama07:00 pm07:00 pmOn Election DayA margin of less than 0.5% of votes cast triggers an automatic recount. Other qualified voters may also request a recount.
Connecticut07:00 pm07:00 pmOn Election DayA margin of less than 0.5% of the votes cast, but not more than 2,000 votes, triggers an automatic recount. Candidates and voters may also file a contest.
Delaware07:00 pm07:00 pm4 days before Election DayCandidates for statewide office may request a recount if the margin is less than 1,000 votes or within 0.5%, whichever is less.
Florida07:00 pm06:00 pm (most), 07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedAn automatic recount is triggered when the margin is 0.5% of the votes cast or less.
Illinois07:00 pm07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate or voter may contest an election, but a recount must be court-ordered.
Maine07:00 pm07:00 pm7 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Maryland07:00 pm07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount.
Massachusetts07:00 pm07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA statewide recount may be triggered by a petition signed by at least 1,000 voters, with different rules for smaller election.
Mississippi07:00 pm07:00 pmOn Election DayThere is no formal recount process, but there may be challenges in court.
Missouri07:00 pm07:00 pm5 days before Election DayA candidate who loses by less than 1% of the vote may request a recount.
New Hampshire07:00 pm07:00 pmOn Election DayA candidate may request a recount as long as the difference is less than 20% of the total votes cast.
New Jersey07:00 pm07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate or a group of voters may request a recount.
Oklahoma07:00 pm07:00 pm5 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Pennsylvania07:00 pm07:00 pmOn Election DayA margin of 0.5% or less for statewide offices triggers an automatic recount. Otherwise, certain groups of voters may request one.
Rhode Island07:00 pm07:00 pm14 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Tennessee07:00 pm07:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA court, lesgislative body or "a tribunal having jurisdiction of an election contest" may order a recount.
North Carolina06:30 pm06:30 pm35 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount for statewide races if the margin is either 0.5% of the vote or 10,000 votes, whichever is less. For other races, a candidate may request a recount if the margin is less than 1%.
Ohio06:30 pm06:30 pm27 days before Election DayAn automatic recount is triggered if the margin is 0.25% or less for a statewide office or 0.5% for other offices. Otherwise, a candidate or certain groups of voters may request a recount.
West Virginia06:30 pm06:30 pm13 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
Georgia06:00 pm06:00 pm15 days before Election DayWhen results are within 0.5%, the losing candidaate may request a recount.
Indiana06:00 pm05:00 pm (partial), 06:00 pm (partial)Whenever ballots are returnedA candidate or certain party leaders may request a recount.
Kentucky06:00 pm05:00 pm (eastern), 06:00 pm (western)14 days before Election DayA candidate may request a recount.
South Carolina06:00 pm06:00 pmOn Election DayA margin of less than 1% triggers an automatic recount.
Vermont06:00 pm06:00 pm30 days before Election DayA candidate for a federal or statewide office may request a recount if the margin is within 2% of the total votes cast.
Virginia06:00 pm06:00 pmWhenever ballots are returnedA candidate may request a recount if the margin is within 1%.

Sources