Will We Know Today?

[RoadKingLarry]

Today is election day (duh).
The big question is will the winner actually be known today or will this mess drag out for weeks to come?

My prediction is that if we are real lucky we might actually get the final results by the 11th of December.

Release the hounds Lawyers!!!

[Regolith]

I think it depends on how wrong the polls are. If they are still oversampling Dems, there's a good chance of a Romney blowout, and we should know the result by tomorrow. If they're at all accurate, this may be another 2000. 

[erictank]

*I* won't - I've got to be in bed by 7-7:30P EST to get up again at 2:30A. But to answer your REAL question, no, we almost certainly won't. Unless Romney picks up enough votes that, say, California doesn't matter (which I just can't see happening), I doubt we'll know until sometime tomorrow.

[BryanP]

I won't I intend to studiously ignore the election today.

[T.O.M.]

^Me too.  I'm sick of holding my nose while I vote.  I think that the only way we'll know is if one of the two cracks 270 easjly. If it's close, the lawyers and judges may choose the next POTUS.  Read last night that there is a decent chance neither will cross 270, so the vote goes to Congress.  The likely result? Romney with Biden as VP!  How about that option?

[makattak]

9pm EST.

[Jamisjockey]

I predict it being called early by several outlets for the President in an attempt to dissuade west coast voters.  Then we'll see some retractions as it gets swung around.
I think it will be over today/tomorrow. 

[MillCreek]

For many years, ever since Washington pretty much went to absentee voting, some of the close state races are not called for days afterward, while they count all the ballots that trickle in. 

[Ben]

I predict it being called early by several outlets for the President in an attempt to dissuade west coast voters. 

Sadly, it seems like that's been Standard Operational Procedure for the "forward leaning" MSM outlets regarding Democrat candidates for the last several elections.

It's interesting though, that in my little world of liberals here, yesterday I heard several talking in the hall at work that tomorrow would be "the end of the world as we know it". Seems like even the staunchest libs are worried about today's results.

I think unless one of them clearly gets a clear majority of swing states early on, that this will get ugly and drag out. I also think this election has a good chance of one candidate winning the popular vote, and the other winning the Electoral College (which will really get ugly).

[lysander6]

I think the decision will be dragged out because the NJ/NY axis will call foul due to the hurricane and its effects on polling places and voter access.

[Jamisjockey]

Sadly, it seems like that's been Standard Operational Procedure for the "forward leaning" MSM outlets regarding Democrat candidates for the last several elections.

It's interesting though, that in my little world of liberals here, yesterday I heard several talking in the hall at work that tomorrow would be "the end of the world as we know it". Seems like even the staunchest libs are worried about today's results.

I think unless one of them clearly gets a clear majority of swing states early on, that this will get ugly and drag out. I also think this election has a good chance of one candidate winning the popular vote, and the other winning the Electoral College (which will really get ugly).

Which is proof they are dumber than the average "gotta get rid of Obama" voter.  
I predict a Romney win, and very little noticable change at the individual level.  Slightly better economic outcome for the next few years, a 50/50 chance of Obama care disappearing, and that's about it.  

[Ben]

I think the decision will be dragged out because the NJ/NY axis will call foul due to the hurricane and its effects on polling places and voter access.

Yes, that will be an interesting wildcard.

[makattak]

I think the decision will be dragged out because the NJ/NY axis will call foul due to the hurricane and its effects on polling places and voter access.

They can cry foul. Their electoral votes won't make any difference. It won't drag out the process even if they want to keep voting open till January 1.

[MechAg94]

They can cry foul. Their electoral votes won't make any difference. It won't drag out the process even if they want to keep voting open till January 1.

I'll stay on the confident side and just say that Mitt's electoral numbers will mean those states don't matter in the final count.

[longeyes]

I think we will learn what most of us knew a long time ago: we are two nations, one growing inside the other like an unwanted pregnancy.

[Fitz]

I think the decision will be dragged out because the NJ/NY axis will call foul due to the hurricane and its effects on polling places and voter access.

They'll go blue anyways, so you think they'll play games?

[longeyes]

Unless this is a landslide, and probably even then, a whole lot of people are not going to believe or accept the outcome.  Elections don't change cultures, they merely reflect the realities.  One of the realities is the magnitude of the mendacity and manipulation that now constitutes American "public life."

[Perd Hapley]

9pm EST.

I think another 2 or 3 hours later.

[Jamisjockey]

Unless this is a landslide, and probably even then, a whole lot of people are not going to believe or accept the outcome.  Elections don't change cultures, they merely reflect the realities.  One of the realities is the magnitude of the mendacity and manipulation that now constitutes American "public life."

That goes both ways.  Lots of "conservatives" refused to believe the legitimacy of the President getting elected. 

[makattak]

That goes both ways.  Lots of "conservatives" refused to believe the legitimacy of the President getting elected.  

Denial is a rather unsuprising reaction to unpleasant news.

I must, however, point out how long those conservatives wallowed in that denial versus many of the left that still scream about the 2000 election.

[Fitz]

Iono. There's still lots of birther screaming to this day

[makattak]

Iono. There's still lots of birther screaming to this day

I must be shielded from it in my choice of online reading. So very glad for that. (Ironically, I am better sheilded from the birthers than the "selected not elected!!!1!" crowd.)

[longeyes]

That goes both ways.  Lots of "conservatives" refused to believe the legitimacy of the President getting elected. 

It does, and what means to me is that we now live in a society where we can't trust much of what is said or published.  That is not a great basis for a free nation or a constitutional republic.  One doubts it will last: either we will get more free and more honest, or we will devolve into complete suppressive tyranny.

[Jamisjockey]

It does, and what means to me is that we now live in a society where we can't trust much of what is said or published.  That is not a great basis for a free nation or a constitutional republic.  One doubts it will last: either we will get more free and more honest, or we will devolve into complete suppressive tyranny.

It says to me that most people don't realize how *expletive deleted*ed the represenatitive democratic republic is as a form of modern government.  Mob elections for mob rule = unsatisfactory results for the remaining 49%.

[makattak]

It says to me that most people don't realize how *expletive deleted*ed the represenatitive democratic republic is as a form of modern government.  Mob elections for mob rule = unsatisfactory results for the remaining 49%.

Actually, in the long run, it ends in unsatisfactory results for everyone but a very select few. Mob rule always ends in tyranny.