Voters will decide the 2026 election today, but the outcome may not be clear on election night. The timing of poll closures and vote counts means control of Congress could remain uncertain into Wednesday or longer.
The Senate could be particularly slow to resolve. None of the main battleground states will be among those closing their polls at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and Maine and Alaska are not expected to finish counting by midday Wednesday. If either state proves decisive for Senate control, a projection may take longer.
The House count could also stretch out if the race is close. Democrats are relying on wins in dozens of districts in states with extensive mail-in voting, including California, where some results may take time even in races that are not especially competitive. The Associated Press, whose projections The New York Times relies on for most races, will not call control of the House until one party reaches the 218 seats needed for a majority.
Early results should still provide a sense of how the night is unfolding, but they may not settle the final outcome.
Sources: The New York Times Politics.