As election night stretched into the early hours, millions of Americans sacrificed their sleep to follow the nail-biting vote count, with a new survey revealing the extent of sleep deprivation across the country. HostingAdvice conducted a poll to determine just how late voters stayed up, uncovering state-by-state data that shows where the most dedicated — and sleep-deprived — election watchers live.
The survey found that, on average, Americans went to bed at 1:02 a.m. after hours of election coverage. New Hampshire residents were the most committed, staying up until 4:06 a.m. on average, making them the most sleep-deprived state in the country. By contrast, Hawaii’s residents called it a night at a more reasonable 9:25 p.m., likely aided by the time difference, which meant they could get a clear sense of the results well before midnight.
In New Jersey, the average voter turned in at 1:57 a.m., putting them among the states with the latest bedtimes. Nearly one-third of New Jerseyans—29%—reported that the suspense of the election affected their sleep.
Christina Lewis of HostingAdvice.com highlighted the intensity of the night, saying, “It was one of the biggest nights for America in recent history. No wonder people wanted to stay up as late as possible to find out the results!”
The poll also examined how Americans followed the vote count, with nearly half of respondents (48%) relying on cable news channels like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Streaming platforms, including YouTube and various news apps, were used by 26% of respondents, while 22% kept up through social media, and 4% tuned in via radio and podcasts.
Most Americans — 68% — watched the results at home with friends or family, while 15% did so virtually. Another 15% chose to watch alone, preferring solitude for the night’s tense wait, while 2% joined larger groups for election night watch parties.
For many, the late night had lingering effects. Nearly half (47%) of those who stayed up late had to adjust their schedules the next day. Despite the disruption, enthusiasm remains high, with 86% of respondents saying they plan to stay up late again in future elections to watch the results unfold.
