Election night saw millions of Americans glued to their screens, tracking results deep into the early morning hours. A recent poll by HostingAdvice revealed that voters across the United States pushed their bedtimes later than usual to stay informed. Maryland residents were notably affected, with the average person going to bed at 1:21 a.m.
HostingAdvice conducted a survey that measured when voters across each state decided to call it a night after following election coverage. Nationally, the average bedtime for voters was 1:02 a.m., underscoring the nationwide interest and anxiety surrounding the event. However, Maryland’s average bedtime of 1:21 a.m. placed its residents among the most sleep-deprived in the country.
New Hampshire led the nation with the latest average bedtime. Granite State residents stayed up until 4:06 a.m. on average, demonstrating their dedication to seeing the results through the night. On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii’s voters went to bed at their regular 9:25 p.m. Although this time may seem early compared to other states, the significant time difference likely meant that Hawaiian voters were already aware of the election results before heading to bed.
“It was one of the biggest nights for America in recent history,” said Christina Lewis of HostingAdvice.com. “No wonder people wanted to stay up as late as possible to find out the results!”
The survey also explored how people chose to follow the vote count. Traditional cable news channels, including CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, were the primary sources for 48% of respondents. Streaming platforms such as YouTube and various news apps were used by 26% of voters, while 22% turned to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook for updates. A smaller segment, 4%, relied on radio broadcasts and podcasts.
Most Americans watched the results at home, often with friends or family. The poll found that 68% of respondents chose to spend the evening in the company of loved ones, sharing the suspense in person. Another 15% watched with friends and family virtually, while another 15% opted to watch alone. Only a small group, 2%, hosted or attended larger watch parties.
The impact of staying up late was significant. Nearly half of the respondents—47%—reported that they needed to adjust their schedules the following day due to sleep loss. Despite the disrupted sleep, the excitement of election night didn’t deter people. A remarkable 86% of respondents said they planned to stay up late for future elections.
Maryland was not the only state where voters felt the strain. Across the board, the late-night results viewing impacted people’s sleep. In Maryland, 29% of those surveyed said the suspense of election night affected their ability to sleep soundly.
HostingAdvice’s findings illustrate how deeply Americans are invested in their electoral process, prioritizing staying informed even at the expense of sleep. The survey highlights the dedication voters have to staying updated on pivotal moments in U.S. politics, often sacrificing rest to witness history unfold.
