The election mechanism is in full swing as voters across the country proudly (or grudgingly) perform their constitutional duty. There have been reports of finicky computers miscounting votes, of less-than-adequate voting officials, and of exceptionally long lines and confusion over where one’s polling place is, especially in the aftermath of Sandy. But despite the negative reports, the nation is getting it done. It might not be pretty, but it’s democracy.
As the nation (and to an extent, the world) waits for the results, let’s take a moment to outline when the polls in the battleground states close, and when we can start to look forward to seeing some of the early results come in:
- Colorado: Polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time, or 9:00 PM Eastern Time
- Florida: The most delegates at stake: Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time
- Iowa: Polls close at 9:00 PM Central Time, or 10:00 PM Eastern Time
- Nevada: Polls close at 7:00 PM Pacific Time, or 10:00 PM Eastern Time
- New Hampshire: Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time
- North Carolina: Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time
- Ohio: The second biggest prize: Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time
- Virginia: Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time
- Wisconsin: Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time, or 9:00 PM Eastern Time
Of course, if the final numbers are too close to call, the results of the election might not be clear until days or weeks. But at least by the end of the night, we will have a much better idea, if not a victory speech on our hands.
