After many nights spent watching primary results, presidential debates and, in some cases, 30-minute infomercials, many voters are ready for some closure in this election.
Depending on the early results, this election could be a nail-biter like 2000 or a 1980 breeze.
What to watch for as the polls close:
7 p.m.
By this time, all of Indiana’s polls will be closed. It’s one of the swing states that has hung in McCain’s bracket in most polls, so for a McCain win, Indiana may be essential.
Also, if Georgia remains unannounced or goes for Obama, it’s bad news for McCain.
Virginia is one of the most talked about states in the nation, as it has shifted in many pollsters maps from red to yellow to blue. If McCain wins it, it would show that he’s still got a shot, but an Obama win could reflect a trend that could spread to North Carolina and other swing states.
7:30 p.m.
North Carolina closes, and it’s likely to be tight. Obama has made gains in recent polls in the state that’s been red since 1976, but McCain is still the most likely winner. It depends on the Republican’s response on Election Day, after early voting tallies show a heavily-Democratic turnout.
8 p.m.
Florida, Florida, Florida.
While it’s not likely to be the election-deciding mess it was in 2000, it’s still a major swing state. Polls have shown Obama slightly ahead recently, but McCain has focused heavily on Florida, which voted for Bush in the past two elections. Again, if it goes for Obama, that’s one less road for McCain to travel to 270.
Pennsylvania’s a swing state, but has consistently skewed for Obama in the polls. A McCain win would be a big boost for the Republicans. New Hampshire is likely for Obama, but it’s a sentimental state for McCain, where he regained ground in the Republican primary.
If Obama wins Oklahoma, you can go to sleep. It’s over.
9 p.m.
With many of the swing states out of the way, McCain’s home state of Arizona is also inching closer to Obama territory. It’d take a lot for it to change colors, so expect it to stay with it’s home senator.