Get Ready for Election Night: Essential Information Inside

Today marks an important milestone in the political landscape as Election Day is officially here. Citizens across the United States are casting their votes, determining control over the House and Senate, which could greatly influence the remaining years of Donald Trump’s presidency.

In order for Democrats to secure a win, they will need to flip three seats in the House and four in the Senate. As polls close throughout the evening, essential tools and resources will help you track the results as they come in.

Key Resources for Election Coverage

To stay informed on all developments this Election Night, NBC News has put together an array of guides and tools:

• Viewing Guidelines: Check out a detailed guide by Ben Kamisar and Bridget Bowman that outlines poll closing times across states, early indicators, and critical battlegrounds to pay attention to.
• Understanding Exit Polls: Stephanie Perry dives into how NBC News conducts its Exit Polls and how they utilize this data to inform the public.
• Insights from the Decision Desk: Analysts John Lapinski, Stephen Pettigrew, and Marc Trussler discuss what factors will help determine the winning party in both the House and Senate.
• Kornacki Cam: Don’t miss the live coverage with Steve Kornacki at the Big Board starting at 5:30 p.m. ET, leading into NBC’s primetime coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET.
• Result Pages: Access live results through the designated pages for the Senate, House, and gubernatorial races.
• Live Updates: Check our live blog to get minute-by-minute updates on the unfolding events.

Poll Closing Timeline

Mark your calendars! Here are the crucial poll closing times to keep track of:

1. 7 p.m. ET: Georgia, Indiana (some regions), Kentucky (some regions), South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
2. 7:30 p.m. ET: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia
3. 8 p.m. ET: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida (some regions), Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee
4. 8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas
5. 9 p.m. ET: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas (some regions), Louisiana, Michigan (some regions), Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota (some regions), South Dakota (some regions), Texas (some regions), Wisconsin, Wyoming
6. 10 p.m. ET: Montana, Nevada, Utah
7. 11 p.m. ET: California, Idaho (some regions), Oregon (some regions), Washington
8. 12 a.m. ET: Hawaii
9. 1 a.m. ET: Alaska (some regions)

Staying Informed During Election Night

As you follow along with the results, you might also want to check out some of the top news stories affecting Election Day:

• Severe Weather Impacts: Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and tornado warnings have led elections officials to relocate polling places in various regions.
• Justice Department Monitoring: This Election Day sees a record number of monitors deployed nationwide to ensure a smooth voting process.
• Ballot Issues: There have been reports of ballot tabulation issues in Westchester County, raising concerns among voters and sparking speculation online.
• Supreme Court Ruling: On the previous night, the Supreme Court denied a request related to separating ballots in California, ensuring a seamless voting experience.

Make sure to stay tuned for more updates. Look out for a wrap-up in tomorrow morning's newsletter that will summarize all the key race results.