How to Watch 2026 Midterm Election Coverage via CBS News
Voters head to the polls across the United States on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide control of Congress and shape the term of President Donald Trump, CBS News reported. Major broadcast and cable networks have announced extensive multi-platform coverage plans for election night.
Broadcast and Streaming Schedules Across Networks
Television and digital news outlets are organizing extended programming to track the 2026 midterm elections, which feature 435 House seats, 35 Senate races, and gubernatorial contests in 39 states alongside high-profile measures such as California’s proposed billionaire tax.
CBS News’ “America Decides: Election 2026″ coverage on television and cable begins Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Anchors Tony Dokoupil and Norah O’Donnell lead the broadcast alongside Gayle King, Margaret Brennan, and a team of political reporters including Robert Costa, Major Garrett, Nancy Cordes, and Ed O’Keefe.
Streaming options expand earlier in the day. Anthony Salvanto and Caitlin Huey-Burns host “Election 2026: The Nerd Show” starting on CBS News 24/7, Paramount+, YouTube, and CBSNews.com. Local CBS stations across 15 owned markets are also providing regional streams, though WUPA Channel 69 serves viewers locally in Atlanta without a direct stream.
Other networks are deploying alternative formats. NewsNation begins live coverage at 6 a.m. ET with a special edition of “Morning in America,” transitioning to “Decision Desk 2026: Election Night in America” at 7 p.m. ET anchored by Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas, Leland Vittert, Katie Pavlich, and Chris Stirewalt, utilising data partnership with Decision Desk HQ. CNN coverage features Omar Jimenez at the Voting Desk and Phil Mattingly at the Magic Wall alongside a custom vertical video livestream on the CNN mobile app. Salem Media, Inc. networks air an 11-hour simulcast featuring Larry Elder, Mike Gallagher, and Hugh Hewitt beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
Poll Closing Times Trigger Staggered Election Results
Poll closing times vary by state, setting off a staggered release of election results throughout the evening. The first batch of polls closes at 7 p.m. ET, followed by additional states at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. ET.
Western states keep polls open later, with California closing at 11 p.m. ET, Hawaii at midnight ET, and Alaska concluding its closely watched Senate race at 1 a.m. ET. The speed at which final outcomes emerge depends on margin tightness and individual state regulations governing mail-in ballot processing.
Network coverage extends past election night into Wednesday, November 4. CBS News continues analysis on “CBS Mornings” and streaming updates on CBS News 24/7. Larry O’Connor anchors expanded morning-after coverage on Salem’s “O’Connor & Company” beginning at 5 a.m. ET.