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LIVE BLOG: Obama Wins Re-election

18:47 6.11.2012
Election day in the United States has traditionally been characterized by long lines, people coming into the office late or leaving early to avoid the rush.
Election officials recognize that lifestyles have changed and have taken steps to make it easier for people to cast their ballots and have their voices heard.
Thirty-two states and Washington, DC opened some polling places more than a week before the actual election day. President Barack Obama demonstrated his encouragement for early voting by being the first incumbent to cast his ballot before election day.
But voting also has been made easier for those who like the tradition of choosing a candidate on the first Tuesday in November.
No car to get to the polls? No money for a cab or bus? No problem. Voters can call local party headquarters for people who will actually drive you to the polling place and see you safely home.
For voters who cannot leave home, election officials have turned some nursing facilities into neighborhood polling stations to ensure the elderly can cast a ballot.
Some conservatives and Republicans have taken steps to end early voting, saying it opens the door to fraud.
But supporters say it encourages voter participation and voter turnout, which tends to favor Democrats.
18:50 6.11.2012
When asked by reporters on his campaign plane if he has written two speeches for tonight (one for victory and one for defeat), Mitt Romney said

“I just finished writing a victory speech,” he told the travelling press. “It’s about 1,118 words. And, uh, I’m sure it will change before I’m finished, because I haven’t passed it around to my family and friends and advisers to get their reaction, but I’ve only written one speech at this point.”
18:54 6.11.2012
The Washington Post is reporting "The first wave of exit polling paints a picture of an electorate that is slightly more Republican than the one that helped elect President Obama in 2008."
18:57 6.11.2012
In terms of early returns, keep an eye on Virginia, which closes as 7 pm EST, and Pennsylvania, which closes an hour later. Virginia is polling at one of the tightest states in the entire country so we expect it to be close. But an early lead by either candidate could suggest a better than expected showing. In terms of Pennsylvania, we should know early if this will be truly competitive this year or was just a decoy move by the Romney campaign.

Romney campaigned late in Pennsylvania including a last minute stop on Election Day. Pennsylvania is usually a reliably Democratic state but if there is a shift toward Romney early it could be a sign of a better than expected night for the Republican candidate. On the other hand, a strong showing by the president early in Pennsylvania could be a sign the late Republican interest there was misplaced.

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