Keeping Track of Election Results

Will you be keeping track of the election results tonight? If so, here are some tips and links.

Huffington Post has a Guide For Watching Election Night Results. Here are some excerpts…

For those obsessed with the results on Tuesday night, here is a November 4 guide to watching television and searching exit poll data on the web.

There are three basic questions (with hundreds more to follow in the weeks ahead): 1) When can you feel confident about the outcome of the presidential contest?; 2) How well are Democrats progressing toward their goal of 60 seats in the Senate?; and 3) Will 2008 be another Democratic blowout, signaling the possibility that the party could establish a majority coalition in future elections?

. . .

The flood of voting results and poll data begins at 8 PM EST. In the presidential race, hotly contested states include Florida, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and New Hampshire. In addition, there are two crucial Senate races: Sen. John Sununu (R) v. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in New Hampshire, and Senator Roger Wicker (R) v. Ronnie Musgrove (D) in Mississippi.

Of the presidential states with 8 pm poll closings, Florida is by far the most important. RCP’s 4-poll average in Florida gives Obama a 4.2 point edge over McCain. If that holds up, Obama would be well on his way to victory.

If, conversely, McCain wins Pennsylvania while holding Florida and other states carried by George W. Bush in 2004, it’s a whole new ball game, and a late night: you will have to wait for returns from Colorado, New Mexico (both 9 PM ET closings) and Nevada (10 PM), to have any real confidence in the outcome.

Important links for keeping track of election results…

Map of Poll Closing Times

Electoral Projections Done Right

Here is the MSNBC Live Results Widget

Also See:

Reducing Election Day Stress and Anxiety

LaurieWrites

Will you be tracking the election results tonight?