Updated 19:23 PST
First things first: Get your asses out there and vote! (if you haven’t done so already)
Here’s my prediction for today:
You can create your own using the tool at Real Clear Politics. There are many of these sites for those hopelessly addicted to polling crack. My map is pretty optimistic. I’m predicting a landslide victory for Obama, and counting on unexpected voter turn out to push North Carolina and Georgia out of the “toss-up” and McCain territory into Obama-land. I couldn’t quite bring myself to do the same for Montana and Arizona. I believe that McCain’s desperate gamble in PA has “FAIL” written all over it.
If you want to fill one out as the returns come in, here’s a blank one I found on flickr (click on “All Sizes” to get to a larger printable version):
Finally, here’s a great list from the AP of things to watch for as the results come rolling in. Results from North Carolina, Virginia and Florida may call the election for the rest of the U.S.
In California, I’m especially anxious about Prop 8. Recent polls seem to contradict each other–who knows how this one will land…
I’m going to leave this post open and try to update it as the day progresses. Please feel free to share your own predictions, voting experiences, worries, and hopefully, later tonight, your joys and schadenfreude.
I actually have a work deadline today–not quite sure how I’m going to manage it with all this election day excitement to distract me. Also, if you’re in the UCI neighborhood, please join me and friends at the Anteater Pub tonight, after 9:00pm to watch the returns there.
[Update 8:30 PST]
Photos from my voting experience:
I’m a dork, btw. I have an absentee ballot, and could’ve walked straight into the station and dropped it off, but I wanted the full experience of standing in line, chatting with fellow voters, and getting my sticker.
[Update 13:15 PST]
Karl Rove is calling it in favor of Obama, 338:200. Weird to post a positive link to someone I see joining Brutus, Cheney and Anne Coulter for Lucifer’s midnight snack. Anyhow, key differences between our electoral maps: Rove gives North Dakota, North Carolina and Georgia to McCain, which is closer to the polling. Mine’s a bit of a gamble, I have to admit.
{Update 19:23 PST]
Nate Silver of fivethiryeight is calling it now for Obama, after it became clear that he won Ohio and Pennsylvania. Nate’s added up the electoral votes for called states with those from “safe” states, and Obama’s past the coveted 270 mark. If it’s good enough for Nate Silver, it’s good enough for me. I’m resting easy.
