How Election Night Will Unfold Hour by Hour

As election night unfolds across the United States, poll closings from the East Coast to the West will shape the race toward the decisive 270 electoral votes.

Road to 270 CNN will project winners as data becomes available, with noncompetitive states potentially called soon after polls close, while others may take longer.

Early Momentum Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, could see an early lead as polls close in red-leaning states like Florida and Ohio. In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, will see her support grow later with poll closings in major states like California and New York.

Poll Closing Times and Election Stakes

7 p.m. ET Polls close in the first six states, including the battleground state of Georgia (16 electoral votes). However, projections could be delayed as data rolls in. Indiana and Kentucky partially close at 6 p.m. ET, but projections will wait until all polls in a state close.

Georgia’s election officials have indicated that up to 70% of votes may be counted by 8 p.m. ET due to early voting and pre-processing.

• Trump Leaning: Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina (28 electoral votes)
• Harris Leaning: Virginia, Vermont (16 electoral votes)
• Toss-up: Georgia (16 electoral votes)

7:30 p.m. ET Polls close in the battleground state of North Carolina and two solidly red states.

• Trump Leaning: Ohio, West Virginia (21 electoral votes)
• Toss-up: North Carolina (16 electoral votes)

Total by 7:30 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 49 electoral votes
• Harris: 16 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 32 electoral votes

8 p.m. ET Polls close in 17 states, including Pennsylvania, a key “blue wall” state. Parts of Michigan and Texas also close at this time, though some areas remain open until 9 p.m.

• Trump Leaning: Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Maine’s 2nd District (74 electoral votes)
• Harris Leaning: Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C. (78 electoral votes)
• Toss-up: Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes)

Total by 8 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 123 electoral votes
• Harris: 94 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 51 electoral votes

8:30 p.m. ET Polls close in Arkansas, likely adding to Trump’s tally.

Total by 8:30 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 129 electoral votes
• Harris: 94 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 51 electoral votes

9 p.m. ET Polls close in 15 states, including battlegrounds like Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Major states like Texas and New York also close.

• Trump Leaning: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana (73 electoral votes)
• Harris Leaning: New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Nebraska’s 2nd District (54 electoral votes)
• Toss-up: Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan (36 electoral votes)

Total by 9 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 202 electoral votes
• Harris: 148 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 87 electoral votes

10 p.m. ET Polls close in three states, including the final battleground, Nevada.

• Trump Leaning: Utah, Montana (10 electoral votes)
• Toss-up: Nevada (6 electoral votes)

Total by 10 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 212 electoral votes
• Harris: 148 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 93 electoral votes

11 p.m. ET Polls close in four states, adding a significant boost to Harris.

• Trump Leaning: Idaho (4 electoral votes)
• Harris Leaning: California, Oregon, Washington (74 electoral votes)

Total by 11 p.m. ET:

• Trump: 216 electoral votes
• Harris: 222 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 93 electoral votes

12 a.m. ET and 1 a.m. ET Final polls close in Hawaii and Alaska.

• Trump Leaning: Alaska (3 electoral votes)
• Harris Leaning: Hawaii (4 electoral votes)

Total by 1 a.m. ET:

• Trump: 219 electoral votes
• Harris: 226 electoral votes
• Toss-up: 93 electoral votes

The night’s unfolding results will reveal who takes the lead on the road to the crucial 270 electoral votes needed for victory.