US Election Countdown
Countdown to upcoming US elections and voting dates. Shows days until election day, early voting dates and voter registration deadlines.
U.S. Election Dates
Countdown to upcoming U.S. elections and primaries
U.S. House of Representatives and 1/3 of Senate seats
Presidential and Vice-Presidential election
U.S. House of Representatives and 1/3 of Senate seats
First major contest for 2028 Presidential primary
Second major primary contest
Multiple large states hold primaries
📋 Election Information
Midterm Elections - Held every 2 years, all House seats (435) and 1/3 of Senate seats (34) are up for election
Presidential Elections - Held every 4 years, President and Vice-President elected
Primaries - State contests where each party selects delegates for presidential nominations
Voting - U.S. citizens 18+ can vote. Register before your state deadline.
✓ Voter Registration
- • Register to vote at vote411.org or your state election office
- • Deadlines vary by state - often 15-30 days before election
- • You'll need proof of citizenship and a valid ID
- • Voter registration is free
- • You can update your registration if you move
🗳️ Voting Methods
Vote at your designated polling location on Election Day, typically the first Tuesday in November
Many states allow early voting 1-2 weeks before Election Day at designated locations
Request an absentee ballot from your state election office - timing requirements vary by state
Find Your Polling Location
Visit these sites to find your voter registration status, polling location, and ballot information:
Presidential Election Cycle
US presidential elections occur every 4 years on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Most recent: November 5, 2024 (Trump vs Harris). Next: November 7, 2028. The 2024 election was the 60th US presidential election. Inauguration follows on January 20 of the year after the election.
Beyond presidential, midterm elections occur every 2 years (next: November 3, 2026). All 435 House seats, one-third of Senate seats (Class 2 in 2026), most state governorships, and countless state and local races appear on the ballot. Off-year elections (in years not divisible by 2) handle municipal, judicial, and special elections.
Key Dates Leading Up
Primary elections begin in January-February of election year (Iowa caucuses traditionally first, though party rules have changed). Most primaries complete by June. Party conventions in July-August select official nominees. General election campaigning intensifies September-November. Early voting starts as early as September in some states.
Election Day itself: November 5, 2024 was the most recent. The Tuesday-after-first-Monday formula: November 3, 2026 (midterms), November 7, 2028 (presidential), November 2, 2030 (midterms), November 4, 2032 (presidential). Date never falls earlier than November 2 or later than November 8.
Early and Absentee Voting
All 50 states offer some form of absentee voting. 47 states + DC offer in-person early voting (varying length, from a few days to 50+ days). Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Mississippi don't have traditional in-person early voting. About 70% of voters voted by mail or early in-person in 2020 (covid-era spike); 50% in 2024 (post-pandemic normalisation).
Mail ballot deadlines vary by state. Some states require ballots received by Election Day; others count ballots postmarked by Election Day even if received later. State Secretary of State websites publish exact rules. Ballot tracking apps available in most states - track your ballot from mailing through receipt and verification.
Why the Date Matters
Presidential election results affect federal policy, Supreme Court appointments, regulatory direction, and US foreign policy. Markets react to expected election outcomes - currency, equities, and bonds all show election-cycle patterns. The Inauguration on January 20 (post-1933) is when policy shifts begin formally.
Midterm elections often result in Congressional shifts that constrain or enable presidential policy. The 'midterm penalty' (incumbent president's party usually loses seats) has held in most cycles. State governorships are increasingly tied to abortion access, voting rules, and other policy areas where state action matters most. Use the [Date Difference Calculator](/date-difference-calculator) for general date math.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next presidential election?
November 7, 2028. Standard 4-year cycle. Inauguration would be January 20, 2029. Midterm elections are November 3, 2026.
Why is Election Day always on a Tuesday?
1845 federal law set the date. Reasoning: gave farmers travel time after Sunday worship before Wednesday market days. Tuesday after first Monday avoids November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day) coinciding with Election Day.
Can I vote on the day if I haven't registered?
Depends on state. 22 states + DC offer Election Day voter registration (same-day registration). Most other states require pre-registration 15-30 days before. Some states allow exceptional same-day registration with documentation. Check your state's Secretary of State website.
What about the Electoral College?
Presidential elections use the Electoral College - 538 electors, 270 to win. Each state's electors equal Senators (2) + Representatives (varies by population). Electors meet in mid-December to officially vote. Their votes are counted by Congress on January 6 of the following year.