what time will some of the results start coming in tomorrow night?

[Blue_Roses]

It seemed like in 2000 it was around 6 or 7. Can anybody remember? Of course East coast will be the start...

[blackcat77]

1. They'll hold off on IN for an hour this time.

Some polls in the state stay open until 7 eastern -- a few counties are on central time -- so it might be KY if that whole state is on eastern time since their polls close at 6 like ours.

[VOX]

2. Have to wait until the polls close on the West Coast - 8:00 p.m. PST...

For an actual winner to be declared. News cannot (or is not supposed to) declare a winner until all the nation's polls are closed.

My guess is that, due to the 2000 fiasco, a winner won't be declared until late -- very late.

Even then, we may not know the actual outcome.

[PretzelWarrior]

4. really? I see them doing that much earlier than that time

especially if they can convince some people out west not to vote. so....ignore everything you see, hear, etc. JUST VOTE. and get more people to vote. Results are nothing until the END of the day.

[VOX]

10. Right! Remember Carter conceding in 1980 before the West Coast polls

closed? That steamed many, many Democrats. This one of those issues that hasn't been straightened out yet.

But you're right, bransonfu, JUST VOTE!!! :kick:

[adapa]

6. They can call a state once all the polls *in that state are closed*

[VOX]

9. This is possible -- this issue is always hot, and legislation comes up...

every now and then to enforce some kind of "blackout" until all polls are closed. But at present, you are probably correct.

Welcome to DU, adapa! :toast:

[TSIAS]

3. 7:00ET

I don't know all the exact times at the moment. I recall NY closing around 9:00, while Florida closes at 7:00.

My guess is that some states will be called as early as 7:00, especially some of the Southern states that are heavily for Bush. As well, I expect Northeastern states to be called fairly early for Kerry, especially Masachusetts.

8:00 will be big with Ohio and I believe Wisconsin.

[ksoze]

5. When the Diebold guys finish reloading the "new" data ;-)

[carpetbagger]

7. First polls close 6:00 Eastern.

Kentucky and Indiana.

In 1992 and 1996, you knew right away that Clinton had the election locked up when Kentucky got called for him. In 2000, and this year, it will almost certainly not mean anything, since even if Kerry wins by a landslide these states will go Bush.

However, you can get some early ideas by watching the results come in by counties. For instance, Marion Co. Indiana (Indianapolis) went only slightly to BUsh in 2000 (140-134K), and St Joseph Co. (South Bend) was a virtual tie, 47,000 for each. A dem takeover in, say, Indiana 8 would be huge.

In Kentucky, Watch Louisville (Jefferson Co.), which went to Gore 150-145K in 2000. An early Senate call for Bunning would be more expected than for Mongiardo, and KY-3 and KY-4 are early congressional races. Also, if you're trying to guess West Virginia, watch Boyd Co KY (Gore 9500-9200) and Greenup CO (Bush 7200-7100). If Bush or Kerry carry these by substantial margins, it will predict WV nicely.

[adapa]

8. link to great cheat sheet

http://contrapositive.blogspot.com/2004/10/election-night-cheat-sheet-as-promised.html