Election Day 2012 Timeline Features Hours of TV Coverage as Polls Close

More than a year of debates, advertisements, gaffes and campaign speeches come down to an entire day of voting. Tuesday marks the nationwide election between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Results won't be official for a couple of weeks. However, thanks to exit polling, media outlets may begin calling states as victories for one candidate over another when polls close in each state.

All times listed are Eastern.

6 p.m.: Some polls close in Indiana, Kentucky

The first polls to close are in the Eastern time zone of Kentucky and Indiana. These two states are complicated in that they are bifurcated by two different time zones. While the eastern portions of Kentucky and Indiana are done voting, the western half remains open for another hour. The Green Papers offers an alphabetical glance of polling hours across the United States.

Cable news networks aren't restricted by regular broadcast programming. As such, networks begin full-time coverage of the election in the early evening. CNN, Fox News and MSNBC begin their analyses as the first polls close. Networks offer specials throughout the day, but the best analysts come out at night. Channel Guide Magazine reveals when major networks start broadcasting during the evening.

7 p.m.: More polls close including Florida

The first major swing state closes its polls at 7 p.m. Florida, with its 29 electoral votes, wraps up voting just as broadcast networks CBS, ABC and NBC begin full coverage for seven hours into early Wednesday morning. Polls close in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia as well.

7:30 p.m.: North Carolina, Ohio finish

Two swing states close polling places at 7:30 p.m. North Carolina and Ohio may be determined early in the broadcast evening if exit polling margins are wide enough.

8 p.m.: PBS starts coverage as more states close polls

On the east coast, several states close polls at 8 p.m. Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are done in the evening. The Wall Street Journal notes New Jersey will be an interesting place to monitor during the election as citizens will be allowed to vote by email due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas finish at this time.

PBS starts its election night coverage at more states close. The public broadcasting network may offer a different kind of coverage that major cable networks don't have.

9 p.m.: New York polls close

With each state closing its polls, networks begin calling who wins which state. New York is done at 9 p.m., in addition to Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

10 p.m.: Iowa, Nevada are done

The fate of Obama and Romney may be decided as early at 10 p.m. on the east coast. That's when Iowa is done voting, one of the key Midwestern swing states . Nevada also shutters its polling places at the same time.

11 p.m.: California finishes

The most populous state in the nation finishes at 11 p.m. on the east coast. California's 55 electoral votes are a huge grab for whoever wins.

William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/election-day-2012-timeline-features-hours-tv-coverage-183800216.html

mega millions numbers the fray seahawks new uniforms 2012 tornadoes in dallas anchorman 2 kentucky basketball oaksterdam