An LGBT guide to Election Night 2012
It’s a close race for the White House, a close race for Tammy Baldwin’s bid to the U.S. Senate, five unpredictable outcomes on marriage related votes, and an openly gay caucus in Congress that could total either three or six by the end of the evening.
The stakes and the consequences of the results are so high that many LGBT people will be staying up late November 6 to watch it all unfold.
The National Election Pool, A coalition of mainstream media organizations who conduct exit polling in order to project results, is doing things differently this year to accommodate the increase in early voting. They predict, as a result of their modifications, projections may trickle out more slowly this year than in the past. But this guide will give political enthusiasts some idea of when the most important results will start becoming apparent.
7 p.m. Eastern
Polls close in the first six states, including the crucial swing state of Virginia. All six states hold a total of 60 electoral votes and, chances are, 44 will go to Romney and 3 to Obama. The wild card is Virginia, with 13 electoral votes that have been hard to predict for weeks. If they go to Romney, Democratswill need to get a drink. But if they go to Obama, Republicansmight start pacing. Another important race in Virginia will be the outcome of the race for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat –If pro-gay Democrat Tim Kaine wins, another sigh of relief; but if anti-gayGeorge Allen wins, Democrats will have to start worrying about the majority in the Senate.
- Best case scenario: Romney wins Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina and Obama wins Vermont and Virgina.
- Electoral count: Romney 44, Obama 16
- Senate marker: Good news if Kaine beats Allen Read More
