We should probably feel
lucky if we know the outcome by this time tomorrow.
Legions of lawyers are ready to enter the fray in case Election Day turns on a legal challenge. One nightmare scenario would be for the results in a battleground state like Florida or Ohio to be too close to call, with thousands of absentee or provisional ballots yet to be counted.
Campaigns Lawyered Up for Election Overtime Chance
Legal Warriors Gird For A Close Election
Campaign Lawyers Ready for Election Challenges
If it's Close, Watch Out
What If There's No Winner? Presidential Campaigns And Their Lawyers Prepare
One possibility is that an automatic recount will be triggered, says Husted. Ohio law requires a recount if the vote margin between the candidates is a quarter of a percent or less of the total vote — or about a 150,000-vote difference.
But a recount is just one of several things that could delay the final count.
In Ohio, about 200,000 voters are expected to cast provisional ballots because they don't have identification, because they requested an absentee ballot but showed up at the polls instead, or for other reasons.
But those ballots can't even be counted until 10 days after Election Day according to Ohio law.
So it might get kinda messy.
On the up side:
28 Papers have Quit Obama to Endorse Romney
College Newspapers Abandon Obama by Droves
As far as tonight goes:
What to Watch for as the Presidential Results Come In
The Fates of Obama and Romney are Tied Up in 11 Key States
For those of you sans TVs, a live streamcast will be available here.
Final thought: Remember, regardless of who wins the presidential election, there's a lot more at stake here. Congressional and state legislative races are also vital. It all adds up.
