The outcome of Tuesday’s congressional elections could remain unresolved for days or weeks as closely contested Senate races move through the counting process. Seven states have especially competitive Senate contests, and two states use ranked choice voting, which can extend the wait. Control of the House could emerge sooner because of larger margins, while the Senate majority could depend on a single seat.
Among the early contests to watch is North Carolina, where polls close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper faces Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman and close Trump ally. Polls and political analysts identify the Republican-held seat as Democrats’ most promising opportunity to flip a Senate seat. In Ohio, which closes at the same hour, Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown are running even.
The next round of closures, at 8 p.m., includes Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson. Collins is the only Republican senator representing a state Kamala Harris won in 2024, making her seat an important Democratic target. Florida’s competitive House contests will also draw attention as the state holds its first election under newly redrawn congressional boundaries. The Cook Political Report rates seven Florida House seats as competitive, including two toss-ups.
Several potentially decisive Senate contests come into focus when polls close at 9 p.m., including races in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan and Texas. In Texas, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton. No Democrat has won statewide there since the early 1990s. Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton, whose moderate campaign has made a previously secure Republican seat competitive. Iowa’s open Senate race pits Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek.
Michigan’s Senate contest between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers remains a toss-up. The state’s gubernatorial race favors Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over Republican Rep. John James. House results arriving during the same time block will also matter, with toss-up contests in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan and New York offering opportunities to challenge Republicans’ narrow majority.
Later closures will bring attention to Montana’s competitive 1st Congressional District and Nevada’s toss-up governor’s race at 10 p.m. California follows at 11 p.m., with congressional boundaries voters approved in 2025 having reduced Republican competitiveness. Most close House races there have shifted toward Democrats in the final weeks, although a Central Valley contest remains a toss-up. California’s slow counting process could delay decisions.
Alaska is the final state to finish voting, at 1 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faces Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola in a toss-up race. The governor’s contest is also competitive. Alaska’s ranked choice voting system means final results could take weeks, potentially extending uncertainty well beyond election night.
