Besides helping set the direction for the country, your vote today will be counted on in the myriad of election result programming planned tonight.
While in the past midterms generally only got an hour of prime time coverage, if that, all three networks are going wall to wall tonight with three hours of returns and reporting. “Campaign 2018” (CBS, 8 p.m.) is helmed by Norah O’Donnell, Jeff Glor and Gayle King; “The Vote: America’s Future” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie and Chuck Todd. And “2018 Midterm Election” (ABC, 8 p.m.), will be anchored by George Stephanopoulos, David Mure and Martha Raddatz. In addition, NBC is already pre-empting “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” to report late returns into the wee hours.
“NewsHour Election Night Coverage 2018” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), with Judy Woodruff, David Shields and David Brooks, is going straight to midnight — with no commercials. Of course, there will be constant coverage on cable news network, with dedicated results shows starting as early as 5 p.m. on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper and John King at the big board. At 6 p.m. on Fox News, it’s Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, with Bill Hemmer at its big board. Rachel Maddow and Brian Williams anchor the coverage on MSNBC at 6 with the over-caffeinated Steve Kornacki at his big board. CSPAN coverage begins at 8 p.m.
Later, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) goes live with a half hour special called “Democalypse 2018: Let’s Try This Again America.”
Having nothing to do with the elections (directly) is the first season finale of “The Purge” (USA, 10 p.m.). Late today, it was renewed for a second season.
Also ending its first season, “Mayans M.C.” (FX, 10 p.m.) have a reason to celebrate, but changes leave the future unclear. A second season has been ordered.
Eddie’s gone missing on “The Guest Book” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) and a guest returns to recall a raging party he had there crashed by his uncle. Paul Dooley, Darrell Britt-Gibson and Michael Cassidy guest star.
On “Monster Encounters” (Travel, 10 p.m.), wildlife biologist Casey Anderson looks for man-eating tigers in Nepal following an earthquake.
Danielle makes a play for Ivy’s man on “Hustle in Brooklyn” (BET, 10 p.m.).
Cole’s former mentor delivers surprising news on “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.) has its Chopped Champions Grand Finale.
The Inner Circle prepares for a secret ambush on “The Gifted” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Married at First Sight: Honeymoon Island” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) may fill the bill for those missing “Bachelor in Paradise.”
Ashton makes his moves on “Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Olivia Munn visits “Busy Tonight” (E!, 10 p.m.).
Casting directors David Rubin and Juliet Taylor join Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz for a 14-film spotlight on the art of casting Tuesdays this month. The first films whose casting process they will discuss: “Casablanca” (8 p.m.), “The Best Years of Our Lives” (10 p.m.), “Gaslight” (1:15 a.m.) and “Anna and the King of Siam” (3:30 a.m.). It’s Joel McCrea all day with “The Outriders” (6 a.m.), “The First Texan” (7:45 a.m.), “The Oklahoman” (9:15 a.m.), “Ride the High Country” (10:45 a.m.), “Colorado Territory” (12:30 p.m.), “Foreign Correspondent” (2:30 p.m.), “Espionage Agent” (4:45 p.m.) and “Primrose Path” (6:15 p.m.).
College basketball kicks off with games that include Wagner at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 2, 6:30 p.m.), Michigan State vs. Kansas (ESPN, 7 p.m.), North Carolina at Wofford (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Morgan State at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), IUPUI at Xavier (Fox Sports 2, 8:30 p.m.), Florida at Florida State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), UMBC at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Duke vs. Kentucky (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.), Western Kentucky at Washington (ESPNU, 10:30 p.m.) and BYU at Nevada (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.).
College football has Kent State at Buffalo (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.).
In the NHL, it’s Edmonton at Tampa Bay (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Chrissy Metz, Kandi Burruss, Kane Brown. The View: Jonathan Karl, Kenan Thompson. The Talk: Jane Lynch, Pistol Annies, Robin Thede. Steve Harvey: Jillian Michaels, Diann Valentine, Nafessa Williams. Ellen DeGeneres: Eddie Redmayne, Damon Wayans Jr. Wendy Williams: Steve Wilkos, Gesine Bullock-Prado. The Real: Ron Cephas Jones.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Hasan Minaj. Jimmy Kimmel: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Phosphorescent. Seth Meyers: Billy Eichner, Soledad O’Brien, Franklin Vanderbilt. James Corden: Chris Sullivan, Lil Rel Howery, Sabrina Carpenter (rerun). Carson Daly: Gary Busey, Let’s Eat Grandma, Mackenzie Foy. Trevor Noah: Jamil Smith.