The 2012 presidential election could be effectively settled shortly after 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, when all polls will have closed in three of the biggest battleground states: Florida, Virginia and Ohio.
Quick projections of a sweep of these competitive states by either President Barack Obama or Republican Mitt Romney likely would mean that candidate will win the White House. If there’s a split decision or if some of these races remain unsettled for hours, the election’s outcome could stretch into tomorrow. Challenges to ballot tallies — like in Florida in 2000 — could delay the call for days or weeks. [cont.]
Jonathan D. Salant & Heidi Przybyla, Bloomberg