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US midterms 2022: What time can we expect the US midterm election results? 

Quick Summary

  • The polls have started to open in the US at 05:00 EST (10:00 GMT)
  • Midterm elections decide who controls US Congress, which has two chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate 
  • Both the House and the Senate are controlled by Democrats at the moment 
  • Republicans are predicted to take the House, whilst the Senate is too close to call 
  • Losing either chamber would be a blow for President Biden as it will make it harder to pass laws for his final two years in office
  • Americans are also electing 36 state governors – who could pass new abortion laws 
  • Donald Trump used a final rally in Florida to hit at a 2024 presidential run 
  • Midterm results are expected to start coming in after polls close in the US this evening – that’ll be early hours in the UK

Analysis

US midterms 2022: What time can we expect the US midterm election results? 

Americans are heading to the polls to determine who will take control of Congress in a politically and culturally fractured nation – just two years before the next presidential election. 

The nationwide elections will see Democrats try to cling onto both chambers of Congress – The House of Representatives and the Senate. 

At present, the Democrats look set to lose the House whilst the Senate is too close to call. 

There are also key governor elections happening today.

US midterms 2022: What time can we expect the US midterm election results?

Regardless of whether the Democrats lose Congress, Joe Biden still has two years of his presidency to complete (the next presidential election is in 2024) – but midterms often serve as a referendum on a president’s leadership. If the Democrats lose one or both chambers of Congress it will make it harder for the President to pass laws for his final two years. It may also determine if Joe Biden runs for re-election in the 2024 presidential race. 

Americans will be feeling anxious ahead of the big vote today as the country seems more divided than ever. 

They’ll be fears over democracy itself, given that the results in a number of high-profile contests will likely be called into question by the likes of Donald Trump – who continues to repeat claims his 2020 presidential loss to Joe Biden was a “stolen election.” 

There are big issues that are leading this year’s election in the US – from inflation to abortion rights, gun control to immigration and growing crime. 

Republicans will be hoping to gain the House and the Senate – and if so, it will mean they can block Joe Biden from making laws. Essentially bringing US politics to a standstill for the next few years – until the next presidential election.

US midterms 2022: What time can we expect the US midterm election results?

Issues from inflation to abortion, immigration and crime will be on people’s minds at the ballot box, as will the performance of president Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the midway point of his difficult first term in office.

Depending on the results and who ends up with control over Congress, it could help us gain a better understanding of who might run for president in 2024. 

If Republicans swing it in key states, you could see the return of Donald Trump. If the Democrats lose badly, Joe Biden may not run for re-election – and may instead look for a fresh face for the Dems. 

Whatever happens, these elections are important to the American people – here’s a guide as to when to expect the results to come in for both US and UK audiences. 

US midterms 2022 - the results!

Alabama

Polls close at 8 pm EST (1:00 Wednesday UK time

Results are expected from 9 pm EST to 11.30 pm EST (02:00 – 04:30 Wednesday UK time)

Alaska

Polls close from midnight for most of the state but 1 am EST on the Aleutian Islands. 

Results will start coming in at 1 am EST. There will be updates overnight and then final updates on 15 and 18 November – to allow for mail ballot counting. The final result is expected on 23 November. 

Arizona

Polls close at 9 pm EST (02:00 Wednesday UK time). 

The first results are expected around 10 pm EST (03:00 Wednesday UK time) with updates overnight – but absentee ballots could take several days. 

Arkansas

Polls close at 8.30 pm EST (01:30 Wednesday UK time). 

The first results are set to come within 45 mins of polls closing and results are expected by the end of the evening. 

California

Polls close at 11 pm EST (04:00 Wednesday UK time). 

Results are expected to start coming in throughout the night but the majority of citizens in California typically opt for mail ballots so a full count is not expected to be known until 15 November. 

Colorado 

Polls close at 9 pm EST (02:00 Wednesday UK time)

Counties must produce an initial result by 10 pm EST (03:00 Wednesday UK time) – with an update one hour later. 

Around 75 per cent of counting is expected to be finalised by 2 am EST – with the rest completed in the coming days. 

Connecticut 

Polls close at 8 pm EST  (1:00 Wednesday UK time) with most results expected by the early hours of the morning – although big cities could take until Wednesday to report. 

Delaware

Polls close at 8 pm EST (1:00 Wednesday UK time) with results to begin coming in immediately after polls close. 

There will be updates expected at 15-minute intervals and counting is likely to be completed by midnight (05:00 Wednesday UK time).

District of Columbia

Polls close at 8 pm EST (1:00 Wednesday UK time). 

Due to the number of mail in votes, only those cast before Election Day will be counted in advance, with votes cast on the day due for processing between 9-15 November.