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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.
State | Poll Closing Time (Local) | Poll Closing Time (CST) | Mail Ballot Count Begins | Recount Procedure |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | 12:00 am | 11:00 pm (most), 12:00 am | 7 days before Election Day | A tie vote triggers an automatic recount, or a losing candidate or group of voters may request one. |
Hawaii | 11:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | 100 votes or less, or a margin of 0.25% of the total votes cast, trigger an automatic recount. |
California | 10:00 pm | 10:00 pm | 29 days before Election Day | An election official may request a recount, as may voters. A court could also order one. |
Idaho | 10:00 pm | 09:00 pm (most), 10:00 pm (panhandle) | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount. |
Oregon | 10:00 pm | 09:00 pm (partial), 10:00 pm (most) | Whenever ballots are returned | A margin of not more than 0.2% triggers an automatic recount. Candidates, political parties or certain voters may request a recount in specified precincts. |
Washington | 10:00 pm | 10:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | If 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. |
Arizona | 09:00 pm | 08:00 pm (partial), 09:00 (most) | Whenever ballots are returned | A margin of less than or equal to 0.5% of the votes cast triggers an automatic recount. State courts may otherwise order recounts. |
Montana | 09:00 pm | 09:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate who loses by 0.25% or less may request a recount. |
Nevada | 09:00 pm | 09:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A losing candidate, and some voters, may request a recount. |
Utah | 09:00 pm | 09:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount if the margin is equal to or less than .0.25%. |
Colorado | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A 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. |
Iowa | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | On Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Kansas | 08:00 pm | 07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount. |
Louisiana | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | 3 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Michigan | 08:00 pm | 07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm | 2 days before Election Day | A 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. |
Minnesota | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount. |
Nebraska | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | 13 days before Election Day | A margin of 1% or less will trigger an automatic recount. A losing candidate may also request one. |
New Mexico | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | 14 days before Election Day | A margin of less than 0.25% triggers an automatic recount. Candidates may also request a recount. |
New York | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A 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 Dakota | 08:00 pm | 07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm | 5 days before Election Day | If 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 Dakota | 08:00 pm | 07:00 pm (eastern), 08:00 (western) | On Election Day | A tie vote triggers an automatic recount. In other races, a candidate may request a recount generally if the margin is within 0.25%. |
Texas | 08:00 pm | 07:00 pm (most), 08:00 pm | 20 days before Election Day | A 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. |
Wisconsin | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | On Election Day | Candidates or certain voters may request a recount. |
Wyoming | 08:00 pm | 08:00 pm | 6 days before Election Day | When the margin is within 1% an automatic recount is triggered. Otherwise, candidates may request one. |
Arkansas | 07:30 pm | 07:30 pm | 7 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Alabama | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | On Election Day | A margin of less than 0.5% of votes cast triggers an automatic recount. Other qualified voters may also request a recount. |
Connecticut | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | On Election Day | A 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. |
Delaware | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | 4 days before Election Day | Candidates for statewide office may request a recount if the margin is less than 1,000 votes or within 0.5%, whichever is less. |
Florida | 07:00 pm | 06:00 pm (most), 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | An automatic recount is triggered when the margin is 0.5% of the votes cast or less. |
Illinois | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate or voter may contest an election, but a recount must be court-ordered. |
Maine | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | 7 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Maryland | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount. |
Massachusetts | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A statewide recount may be triggered by a petition signed by at least 1,000 voters, with different rules for smaller election. |
Mississippi | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | On Election Day | There is no formal recount process, but there may be challenges in court. |
Missouri | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | 5 days before Election Day | A candidate who loses by less than 1% of the vote may request a recount. |
New Hampshire | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | On Election Day | A candidate may request a recount as long as the difference is less than 20% of the total votes cast. |
New Jersey | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate or a group of voters may request a recount. |
Oklahoma | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | 5 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Pennsylvania | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | On Election Day | A margin of 0.5% or less for statewide offices triggers an automatic recount. Otherwise, certain groups of voters may request one. |
Rhode Island | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | 14 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Tennessee | 07:00 pm | 07:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A court, lesgislative body or "a tribunal having jurisdiction of an election contest" may order a recount. |
North Carolina | 06:30 pm | 06:30 pm | 35 days before Election Day | A 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%. |
Ohio | 06:30 pm | 06:30 pm | 27 days before Election Day | An 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 Virginia | 06:30 pm | 06:30 pm | 13 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
Georgia | 06:00 pm | 06:00 pm | 15 days before Election Day | When results are within 0.5%, the losing candidaate may request a recount. |
Indiana | 06:00 pm | 05:00 pm (partial), 06:00 pm (partial) | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate or certain party leaders may request a recount. |
Kentucky | 06:00 pm | 05:00 pm (eastern), 06:00 pm (western) | 14 days before Election Day | A candidate may request a recount. |
South Carolina | 06:00 pm | 06:00 pm | On Election Day | A margin of less than 1% triggers an automatic recount. |
Vermont | 06:00 pm | 06:00 pm | 30 days before Election Day | A candidate for a federal or statewide office may request a recount if the margin is within 2% of the total votes cast. |
Virginia | 06:00 pm | 06:00 pm | Whenever ballots are returned | A candidate may request a recount if the margin is within 1%. |