Some helpful hints as you watch the returns Tuesday night

Obama may well not pull ahead in the national popular vote until later in the night (early morning), as we wait for the Left Coast returns to come and New York City, which does not report in until 9PM EST at the earliest. This is what happened with Al Gore in 2000.

Pennsylvania. Four years ago the Philadelphia returns came in first. I don't know if that will be the case again this year.

Missouri. During the senate race in 2006 and the primaries this year, the St. Louis City and STL County votes came in very late in the night. Obama pulled out the MO primary late at night because of this, and Claire McCaskill pulled her race out because of the late STL area vote.

Indiana. Lake County (Gary) came in last during the primary, almost 100% at a time. This county almost put Obama over the top.

California. Early and absentee votes are usually reported publicly first. When I was growing up there (80's, early 90's) Orange County often used to report in early, while San Francisco and Alameda counties came in very late.

Texas. The Hispanic Rio Grande Valley counties usually come in late, as happened in the March primary.

want to to vote, and I expect that people will stay on line after 8...which they have the right to do.

It boils down to Virginia. If Obama wins Virginia, it's over. He's president. Our polls close at 7pm.

My husband and I volunteered to be line managers. It's going to be a very looooong day, but worth it.

not going to worry about the popular vote totals. I can hear that in the morning as I get ready for work.


All I want to hear is McCain's concession and Obama's victory speech