Last updated on April 2nd, 2024 at 09:02 pm
Today, on Super Tuesday, voters in 15 states are participating in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. With 13 primaries and two caucuses underway, 865 delegates are at stake for the two remaining Republican candidates, former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. As the largest voting day of the 2024 presidential election unfolds, it’s crucial to know when polls open and close across the participating states. Here’s a comprehensive guide to voting hours and poll closing times for Super Tuesday.
Super Tuesday Poll Closing Times
Voting hours and poll closing times for Super Tuesday vary by state. Here’s a breakdown:
- Alabama: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET).
- Alaska: Voting for the Republican Party’s “Presidential Preference Poll” opens at 3 p.m. and closes at 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. ET to 12 a.m. ET).
- Arkansas: Voters can cast their ballots from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET to 8:30 p.m. ET).
- California: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET).
- Colorado: Polling hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET).
- Maine: Polling locations open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time and close at 8 p.m. ET.
- Massachusetts: Voting locations open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. ET.
- Minnesota: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET).
- North Carolina: Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Oklahoma: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET).
- Tennessee: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET).
- Texas: All polling locations open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET for most of the state. Three counties in West Texas are in Mountain time, so polls open at 9 a.m. ET and close at 9 p.m. ET).
- Utah: Republican caucuses take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time (9 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET).
- Vermont: Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.
- Virginia: Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.
Polls in most states remain open until 7 p.m. local time, with the latest closing at 8 p.m. local time. Voters in line when polls close can still cast their ballots.
For those on the East Coast, California and Alaska have the latest poll closing times. In California, voting locations close at 8 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET), while in Alaska, GOP polls close at 8 p.m. local time (12 a.m. ET).
The Race for the Republican Nomination: Trump vs. Haley
The Republican primaries on Super Tuesday set the stage for a fierce battle between two prominent figures within the GOP: former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Trump, with a string of victories in previous contests, enters Super Tuesday with momentum on his side, boasting a commanding lead in the delegate count. However, Haley’s recent triumph in the District of Columbia’s primary underscores her resilience and the potential to challenge Trump’s dominance. With 13 primaries and two caucuses in play, the outcomes in key states like Texas, California, and Florida will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the Republican nomination race. As the clock ticks towards poll closing times, anticipation builds, and the Republican Party braces for a defining moment in its quest for the White House.
Democratic Primaries: A Clear Path for President Biden
While the Republican primaries command attention, the Democratic side of Super Tuesday unfolds with a different narrative. President Biden, buoyed by a lack of major challengers, navigates a relatively smoother path towards securing the Democratic nomination. With primaries in 15 states and one U.S. territory, including crucial battlegrounds like California and Texas, Biden aims to solidify his position as the party’s standard-bearer. Yet, despite the absence of formidable opponents, the Democratic primaries remain consequential, offering insights into voter sentiment and potential areas of focus for the Biden-Harris ticket in the general election. As Democrats cast their ballots, the results will serve as a barometer of the party’s unity and readiness to face the challenges ahead.
Democrats Are Holding Primaries in The Following States:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- American Samoa
Above data is taken from Nbcnews
As Super Tuesday draws to a close, the implications reverberate far beyond the ballot box. For the Republican Party, the outcomes signal a crucial juncture in its quest to reclaim the White House, with ramifications for the party’s identity and future direction. Whether Trump maintains his stronghold or faces a formidable challenge from within remains to be seen. On the Democratic front, while President Biden’s path seems clearer, the primaries offer valuable insights into voter sentiment and areas for strategic focus in the general election. As the nation awaits the results and the dust settles on Super Tuesday 2024, one thing remains certain: the journey towards the presidency is far from over, and every vote cast today shapes the course of American democracy for years to come.