When will we know results of presidential race?

Michael Pearson, CNN
Updated 10:55 PM EST, Tue November 6, 2012

Story highlights

NEW: Reporting of results paused in Virginia

Presidential results could be delayed if battleground Ohio is particularly close

Polls begin closing at 7 p.m. ET

Virginia could be an early indicator, CNN's John King says

CNN is covering Election Day right now on CNN TV, CNN.com and via CNN’s mobile apps. Check up-to-the-minute results at cnn.com/results and join our live blog at cnn.com/conversation. Need other reasons to spend Election Day with CNN? Here’s our list.

(CNN) —  

It’s been a grueling campaign. You just want to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and find out who will be president for the next four years.

So when will we know?

Technically speaking – who the heck can say?

With a race that went into Election Day neck and neck, and plenty of questions about how key battleground states will play out, it’s reasonable to assume a long night is in store.

What to watch for

It could be even longer if the election ends up balanced on the edge of a razor-thin vote in Ohio or if voting irregularities spark legal challenges in any of a number of critical states.

A blur of waving flags greeted President Barack Obama
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A blur of waving flags greeted President Barack Obama's victory speech at an election night event in Chicago, Illinois.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden look ahead to a second term and vowed to fight for equal opportunity for all.
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President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden look ahead to a second term and vowed to fight for equal opportunity for all.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Flags fluttered in Chicago as President Barack Obama delivered his victory speech after being reelected for a second term.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Flags fluttered in Chicago as President Barack Obama delivered his victory speech after being reelected for a second term.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hugged and will spend four more years in the public eye.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hugged and will spend four more years in the public eye.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Red, white and blue confetti snowed down on President Barack Obama after a victory speech that promised brighter days ahead.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Red, white and blue confetti snowed down on President Barack Obama after a victory speech that promised brighter days ahead.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A supporter listened intently to President Barack Obama
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A supporter listened intently to President Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago.
PHOTO: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
"We know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come," President Obama said in a victory speech met by prolonged cheers.
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"We know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come," President Obama said in a victory speech met by prolonged cheers.
PHOTO: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden after delivering his victory speech at McCormick Place in Chicago.
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President Barack Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden after delivering his victory speech at McCormick Place in Chicago.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
With first lady Michell Obama at his side, President Barack Obama gave the crowd a wave at an election night celebration in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
With first lady Michell Obama at his side, President Barack Obama gave the crowd a wave at an election night celebration in Chicago.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Children climbed trees outside the White House in Washington as people celebrated President Obama
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Children climbed trees outside the White House in Washington as people celebrated President Obama's victory at the polls.
PHOTO: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
A South Korean woman carried a cardboard cutout of Republican Mitt Romney at an election night party in Seoul. South Koreans watched the race closely.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A South Korean woman carried a cardboard cutout of Republican Mitt Romney at an election night party in Seoul. South Koreans watched the race closely.
PHOTO: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
President Barack Obama rode a wave of broad support from minorities, women and moderates to win re-election.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Barack Obama rode a wave of broad support from minorities, women and moderates to win re-election.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Emotion washed over an Obama supporter as the newly reeleted president deivered his victory speech in Chicago.
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Emotion washed over an Obama supporter as the newly reeleted president deivered his victory speech in Chicago.
PHOTO: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama embraced first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia moments before he delivered a rousing victory speech.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Barack Obama embraced first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia moments before he delivered a rousing victory speech.
PHOTO: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Obama supporters beamed and cheered as he delivered an inspiring and inclusive victory speech.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporters beamed and cheered as he delivered an inspiring and inclusive victory speech.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Victorious, President Barack Obama was joined onstage by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.
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Victorious, President Barack Obama was joined onstage by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.
PHOTO: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Young Obama supporters watched the president stride onto the stage to deliver his victory speech.
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Young Obama supporters watched the president stride onto the stage to deliver his victory speech.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
President Barack Obama clapped onstage in Chicago as the crowd cheered his reelection.
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President Barack Obama clapped onstage in Chicago as the crowd cheered his reelection.
PHOTO: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
President Barack Obama walked onstage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Barack Obama walked onstage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
People gathered in Times Square in New York City and celebrated four more years in office for President Barack Obama.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
People gathered in Times Square in New York City and celebrated four more years in office for President Barack Obama.
PHOTO: MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conceded and hugged his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conceded and hugged his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin.
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
People celebrated in front of the White House in Washington after Barack Obama won a second term as president.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
People celebrated in front of the White House in Washington after Barack Obama won a second term as president.
PHOTO: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Mitt Romney slowly walked offstage in Boston after conceding the election to President Barack Obama.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Mitt Romney slowly walked offstage in Boston after conceding the election to President Barack Obama.
PHOTO: Rick Wilking/Pool/Getty Images
Republican candidate Mitt Romney hung his head and smiled as he strode onto the stage to give his concession speech.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican candidate Mitt Romney hung his head and smiled as he strode onto the stage to give his concession speech.
PHOTO: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Mitt Romney waved to a crowd of supporters before conceding the presidency.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Mitt Romney waved to a crowd of supporters before conceding the presidency.
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Romney supporters sought comfort in each other as his chances for the presidency faded.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Romney supporters sought comfort in each other as his chances for the presidency faded.
PHOTO: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
An Obama supporter clutched a flag and a smart phone at an election night rally in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
An Obama supporter clutched a flag and a smart phone at an election night rally in Chicago.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Obama supporters attentively watched televised election results at an election night event in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporters attentively watched televised election results at an election night event in Chicago.
PHOTO: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
A supporter checks his smart phone while he waits for Republican Mitt Romney to give his concession speech in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A supporter checks his smart phone while he waits for Republican Mitt Romney to give his concession speech in Boston, Massachusetts.
PHOTO: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden moments after the election was called in their favor.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden moments after the election was called in their favor.
PHOTO: Pete Souza/White House Photo
Keesha Patterson, left, proposed to Rowan Ha during a rally at Obama headquarters in Chicago. The women live in Maryland, where voters approved same-sex marriage.
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Keesha Patterson, left, proposed to Rowan Ha during a rally at Obama headquarters in Chicago. The women live in Maryland, where voters approved same-sex marriage.
PHOTO: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Landov
Ajay Narayan cheered in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the election was called for President Obama.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Ajay Narayan cheered in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the election was called for President Obama.
PHOTO: Sam Morris/Reuters/Landov
Obama supporters celebrated the president
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporters celebrated the president's projected victory at a watch party at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A huge screen gave Obama supporters in Chicago plenty to cheer about: The president won a second term.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A huge screen gave Obama supporters in Chicago plenty to cheer about: The president won a second term.
PHOTO: jeff haynes/Reuters/Landov
President Barack Obama
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Barack Obama's supporters were exuberant as the news got better and better on election night.
PHOTO: larry downing/Reuters/Landov
A dejected supporter of Republican candidate Mitt Romney slumped on the floor in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A dejected supporter of Republican candidate Mitt Romney slumped on the floor in Boston, Massachusetts.
PHOTO: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
President Obama
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Obama's young supporters in Chicago cheered and waved flags.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Empire State Building in New York City was lit in Democratic blue after President Obama won the hotly contested election.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
The Empire State Building in New York City was lit in Democratic blue after President Obama won the hotly contested election.
PHOTO: Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A Romney supporter teared up as the presidency seemed to slip out of grasp.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A Romney supporter teared up as the presidency seemed to slip out of grasp.
PHOTO: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
Obama supporters in Chicago, his hometown, shared their joy at the president
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporters in Chicago, his hometown, shared their joy at the president's projected victory.
PHOTO: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Obama supporters raised their hands in victory at an election night watch party in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporters raised their hands in victory at an election night watch party in Chicago.
PHOTO: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Romney supporters in Boston were tearful and subdued as the numbers told a story they didn
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Romney supporters in Boston were tearful and subdued as the numbers told a story they didn't want to hear.
PHOTO: Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images
A Romney supporter
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A Romney supporter's bowed head and slumped shoulders revealed that it wasn't going to be the Republicans' night.
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Big boards in Tampa reported results at an event sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida. See the best of Romney and Obama on the campaign trail.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Big boards in Tampa reported results at an event sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida. See the best of Romney and Obama on the campaign trail.
PHOTO: Edward Linsmier/Getty Images
Party-goers wearing
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Party-goers wearing 'Stars and Stripes' clothing awaited results at an election night party at the U.S. Embassy in London.
PHOTO: WILL OLIVER/AFP/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was photographed aboard his campaign plane Tuesday in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was photographed aboard his campaign plane Tuesday in Boston, Massachusetts.
Voter Sheresa Walker used a flashlight for poll worker Lloyd Edwards in a tent set up as a polling place in Queens, New York. The area is still reeling from Superstorm Sandy.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Voter Sheresa Walker used a flashlight for poll worker Lloyd Edwards in a tent set up as a polling place in Queens, New York. The area is still reeling from Superstorm Sandy.
PHOTO: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Shadows were cast on a wall next to a television advertising "Election Night 2012" inside the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was scheduled to speak Tuesday evening.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Shadows were cast on a wall next to a television advertising "Election Night 2012" inside the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was scheduled to speak Tuesday evening.
PHOTO: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A volunteer prepared ballots at a polling station in San Francisco, California.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A volunteer prepared ballots at a polling station in San Francisco, California.
PHOTO: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
Justin Stucki, Leah Quirk, and Kenady Pettingill, left to right, urged drivers to vote for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Spanish Springs, Nevada.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Justin Stucki, Leah Quirk, and Kenady Pettingill, left to right, urged drivers to vote for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Spanish Springs, Nevada.
PHOTO: Max Whittaker/Getty Images
A sign directed voters to the gymnasium at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A sign directed voters to the gymnasium at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke with journalists during the last flight of his presidential campaign.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke with journalists during the last flight of his presidential campaign.
PHOTO: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Raena Lamont, 3, wore a Captain America costume at a polling center Tuesday in Staten Island, New York.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Raena Lamont, 3, wore a Captain America costume at a polling center Tuesday in Staten Island, New York.
PHOTO: Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A voter cast his ballot Tuesday in Mansfield, Texas.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A voter cast his ballot Tuesday in Mansfield, Texas.
PHOTO: Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took a break from last-minute campaigning to greet workers in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took a break from last-minute campaigning to greet workers in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
PHOTO: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A voter
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A voter's bicycle leaned against a wall at a lifeguard station, home to a polling place in Hermosa Beach, California.
PHOTO: David McNew/Getty Images
Voters walked past a plethora of campaign signs after casting their ballots at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Voters walked past a plethora of campaign signs after casting their ballots at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
PHOTO: Julie Denesha/Getty Images
Jesse James, whose home was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, prepared to vote in a makeshift tent set up as a polling place in Rockaway Park, a neighborhood in Queens, New York.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Jesse James, whose home was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, prepared to vote in a makeshift tent set up as a polling place in Rockaway Park, a neighborhood in Queens, New York.
PHOTO: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney waved to supporters at Pittsburgh International Airport in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney waved to supporters at Pittsburgh International Airport in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
PHOTO: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Workers prepared for President Barack Obama
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Workers prepared for President Barack Obama's election night rally at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
PHOTO: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
A street scene was reflected in the window of a gift shop near the White House in Washington, DC.
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A street scene was reflected in the window of a gift shop near the White House in Washington, DC.
PHOTO: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Mike Wegart, 30, stood in line to vote at the Venice Beach lifeguard station in Los Angeles.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Mike Wegart, 30, stood in line to vote at the Venice Beach lifeguard station in Los Angeles.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
Obama supporter Tonya Lewis rallied for votes outside a polling station in Tampa, Florida.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Obama supporter Tonya Lewis rallied for votes outside a polling station in Tampa, Florida.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan left a campaign plane in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan left a campaign plane in Cleveland, Ohio.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
President Obama greeted supporters outside a campaign office in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
President Obama greeted supporters outside a campaign office in Chicago.
PHOTO: EWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
A jogger on The Strand in the Los Angeles area community of Hermosa Beach passed a directional sign to a polling place at sunrise.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A jogger on The Strand in the Los Angeles area community of Hermosa Beach passed a directional sign to a polling place at sunrise.
PHOTO: Getty Images
The stage was set for Obama
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The stage was set for Obama's election night event in Chicago.
PHOTO: Win McNamee/Getty Images
James Tate, 45, held a sign in support of the Republican ticket in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
James Tate, 45, held a sign in support of the Republican ticket in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
PHOTO: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
A nun waited in line to cast her vote in Janesville, Wisconsin.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A nun waited in line to cast her vote in Janesville, Wisconsin.
PHOTO: Darren Hauck/Getty Images
Children
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Children's books about politics lined a wall where citizens waited to cast their vote in Janesville, Wisconsin.
PHOTO: Darren Hauck/Getty Images
Volunteer David Bowser peeked outside the Pinellas County Democratic Party headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Volunteer David Bowser peeked outside the Pinellas County Democratic Party headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida.
PHOTO: Edward Linsmier/Getty Images
Election inspector Jim Nodorft prepared to hang the U.S. flag outside the Smelser Town Hall as polls opened at 7 a.m. in Georgetown, Wisconsin.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Election inspector Jim Nodorft prepared to hang the U.S. flag outside the Smelser Town Hall as polls opened at 7 a.m. in Georgetown, Wisconsin.
PHOTO: Mark Hirsch/Getty Images
People headed to a polling station at Washington
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
People headed to a polling station at Washington's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Tuesday.
PHOTO: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
The sunrise was visible through a bus window on Election Day in Chicago.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
The sunrise was visible through a bus window on Election Day in Chicago.
PHOTO: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Voters entered Washington Mill Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, to cast their ballots Tuesday.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Voters entered Washington Mill Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, to cast their ballots Tuesday.
PHOTO: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Rain did no deter voters from waiting in line in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Sunshine State -- with its 29 electoral votes -- was a key player in determining the next president.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Rain did no deter voters from waiting in line in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Sunshine State -- with its 29 electoral votes -- was a key player in determining the next president.
PHOTO: Edward Linsmier/Getty Images
A young girl peered out from under a voting booth as her mother cast a ballot at the Bishop Leo O
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
A young girl peered out from under a voting booth as her mother cast a ballot at the Bishop Leo O'Neil Youth Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.
PHOTO: Darren McCollester/Getty Images
William Carpenter, an assistant fire chief, put up an election rules sign at the entrance of a firehouse polling station Tuesday in Port Royal, Virginia.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
William Carpenter, an assistant fire chief, put up an election rules sign at the entrance of a firehouse polling station Tuesday in Port Royal, Virginia.
PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Poll worker David Smith used a tape measure to mark a boundary at a Bowling Green, Ohio, school to keep local politicians 100 feet away from where voters cast ballots.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Poll worker David Smith used a tape measure to mark a boundary at a Bowling Green, Ohio, school to keep local politicians 100 feet away from where voters cast ballots.
PHOTO: J.D. Pooley/Getty Images
Precinct official Bill Partlow inspected a voting machine before polls open Tuesday in Pineville, North Carolina.
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Precinct official Bill Partlow inspected a voting machine before polls open Tuesday in Pineville, North Carolina.
PHOTO: REUTERS /CHRIS KEANE /LANDOV
Voters in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, waited shortly after midnight to cast the first Election Day ballots of the U.S. presidential race. For the first time in the village
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Election 2012: The best photos —  
Voters in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, waited shortly after midnight to cast the first Election Day ballots of the U.S. presidential race. For the first time in the village's history, there was a tie.
PHOTO: REUTERS /HERB SWANSON /LANDOV

Either situation could drag out the decision until mid-November or even longer, analysts say.

Whatever happens, some indications should begin to trickle in now that the first waves of poll closings have come, ending voting in Virginia, Florida, Ohio and other key states.

West Coast states and Hawaii will stop voting at 11 p.m. ET, and the last Americans will cast their ballots in Alaska by 1 a.m. ET Wednesday.

The first place to look: Virginia, according to analysts. But the reporting of results was paused after 7 p.m. because many voters remained in line after the scheduled poll closing time, the state Board of Elections said.

When results do come in, Prince William County will be a key indicator, CNN chief national correspondent John King said.

“One of the first things I’ll look at are the margins in the northern Virginia suburbs closest to Washington, D.C., especially Prince William County,” he said.

Drama awaits in battleground states

“If Gov. Romney is ahead or at least in play there, it means Virginia is in play, and we could have a long, competitive night,” King said. “If he’s not in play, it could be over before we even get to the Central time zone.”

CNN’s chief politcal analyst, Gloria Borger, agreed that Virginia will have a lot to say about what happens later.

“We have to look at Loudoun County in Virginia, and if the president were to win Virginia, obviously, the path to 270 is a lot easier for him,” she said. “But if Mitt Romney wins Virginia, it could be a much longer night.”

CNN political reporter Peter Hamby said that results from early and absentee balloting in Pasco County, Florida, could also offer a tantalizing glimpse of what the night may hold.

Barack Obama won the early and absentee vote in the slightly Republican-leaning county in 2008. If Obama comes up trailing when those early votes are posted soon after polls close, it could indicate the president might have trouble carrying Florida and its crucial electoral votes, according to Hamby.

Frum: U.S. voting system is a disgrace

If Ohio becomes key to the election, it’s possible that bag of popcorn isn’t going to hold you.

If the margin separating Romney and Obama is particularly thin, the election in that key battleground state could ride on absentee and provisional ballots. And that could keep the nation in suspense for a whopping 10 days.

Ohio provisional ballots hold key

That’s how long Ohio law gives poll workers to check the eligibility of provisional voters.

Ohio has one of the nation’s highest rates of provisional voting, with 211,000 cast in 2008, according to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. About 40,000 were later thrown out.

Husted says he thinks the election in Ohio will hinge on the state’s central counties, and the results will be known before midnight.

“I really believe that we will be able to project a winner tonight,” he said. “I think that people will have to stay up past their bedtime to be able to do that. But it’s likely that we’ll know by the end of the evening.”

Popular-electoral split is possible

The worst nightmare scenario is a redux of 2000, when the nation suffered through weeks of uncertainty amid recounts and legal challenges surrounding the vote in Florida.

And, sorry to say it, as tightly contested as this race is, it is a possibility, analysts say.

“Between provisional balloting, absentee balloting and voting technology, I think there are untold different ways that this is a tense, contested election,” said Rebecca Green, co-director of the Election Law Program at William & Mary Law School. “It’s pretty certain there’s going to be some litigation when this is over on November 6.”

As we said – who knows?

Election 2012: Projections

CNN’s Bill Mears contributed to this report.