What to watch for on Election Night

The CNN Political Unit
Updated 10:56 PM EST, Tue November 6, 2012
A blur of waving flags greeted President Barack Obama's victory speech at an election night event in Chicago, Illinois.
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.
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.
Election 2012: The best photos —
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.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Flags fluttered in Chicago as President Barack Obama delivered his victory speech after being reelected for a second term.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Flags fluttered in Chicago as President Barack Obama delivered his victory speech after being reelected for a second term.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hugged and will spend four more years in the public eye.
Election 2012: The best photos —
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hugged and will spend four more years in the public eye.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Red, white and blue confetti snowed down on President Barack Obama after a victory speech that promised brighter days ahead.
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.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A supporter listened intently to President Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
A supporter listened intently to President Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago.
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.
Election 2012: The best photos —
"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.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden after delivering his victory speech at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
President Barack Obama embraced Vice President Joe Biden after delivering his victory speech at McCormick Place in Chicago.
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.
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.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Children climbed trees outside the White House in Washington as people celebrated President Obama's victory at the polls.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Children climbed trees outside the White House in Washington as people celebrated President Obama's victory at the polls.
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.
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.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
President Barack Obama rode a wave of broad support from minorities, women and moderates to win re-election.
Election 2012: The best photos —
President Barack Obama rode a wave of broad support from minorities, women and moderates to win re-election.
AFP/Getty Images
Emotion washed over an Obama supporter as the newly reeleted president deivered his victory speech in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Emotion washed over an Obama supporter as the newly reeleted president deivered his victory speech in Chicago.
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.
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.
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Obama supporters beamed and cheered as he delivered an inspiring and inclusive victory speech.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Obama supporters beamed and cheered as he delivered an inspiring and inclusive victory speech.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Victorious, President Barack Obama was joined onstage by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Victorious, President Barack Obama was joined onstage by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Young Obama supporters watched the president stride onto the stage to deliver his victory speech.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Young Obama supporters watched the president stride onto the stage to deliver his victory speech.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
President Barack Obama clapped onstage in Chicago as the crowd cheered his reelection.
Election 2012: The best photos —
President Barack Obama clapped onstage in Chicago as the crowd cheered his reelection.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
President Barack Obama walked onstage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech.
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.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
People gathered in Times Square in New York City and celebrated four more years in office for President Barack Obama.
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.
MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conceded and hugged his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conceded and hugged his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
People celebrated in front of the White House in Washington after Barack Obama won a second term as president.
Election 2012: The best photos —
People celebrated in front of the White House in Washington after Barack Obama won a second term as president.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Mitt Romney slowly walked offstage in Boston after conceding the election to President Barack Obama.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Mitt Romney slowly walked offstage in Boston after conceding the election to President Barack Obama.
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.
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.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Mitt Romney waved to a crowd of supporters before conceding the presidency.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Mitt Romney waved to a crowd of supporters before conceding the presidency.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Romney supporters sought comfort in each other as his chances for the presidency faded.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Romney supporters sought comfort in each other as his chances for the presidency faded.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
An Obama supporter clutched a flag and a smart phone at an election night rally in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
An Obama supporter clutched a flag and a smart phone at an election night rally in Chicago.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Obama supporters attentively watched televised election results at an election night event in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Obama supporters attentively watched televised election results at an election night event in Chicago.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Election 2012: The best photos —
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.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Landov
Ajay Narayan cheered in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the election was called for President Obama.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Ajay Narayan cheered in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the election was called for President Obama.
Sam Morris/Reuters/Landov
Obama supporters celebrated the president's projected victory at a watch party at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Obama supporters celebrated the president's projected victory at a watch party at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A huge screen gave Obama supporters in Chicago plenty to cheer about: The president won a second term.
Election 2012: The best photos —
A huge screen gave Obama supporters in Chicago plenty to cheer about: The president won a second term.
jeff haynes/Reuters/Landov
President Barack Obama's supporters were exuberant as the news got better and better on election night.
Election 2012: The best photos —
President Barack Obama's supporters were exuberant as the news got better and better on election night.
larry downing/Reuters/Landov
A dejected supporter of Republican candidate Mitt Romney slumped on the floor in Boston, Massachusetts.
Election 2012: The best photos —
A dejected supporter of Republican candidate Mitt Romney slumped on the floor in Boston, Massachusetts.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
President Obama's young supporters in Chicago cheered and waved flags.
Election 2012: The best photos —
President Obama's young supporters in Chicago cheered and waved flags.
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.
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.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A Romney supporter teared up as the presidency seemed to slip out of grasp.
Election 2012: The best photos —
A Romney supporter teared up as the presidency seemed to slip out of grasp.
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
Obama supporters in Chicago, his hometown, shared their joy at the president's projected victory.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Obama supporters in Chicago, his hometown, shared their joy at the president's projected victory.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Obama supporters raised their hands in victory at an election night watch party in Chicago.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Obama supporters raised their hands in victory at an election night watch party in Chicago.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Romney supporters in Boston were tearful and subdued as the numbers told a story they didn't want to hear.
Election 2012: The best photos —
Romney supporters in Boston were tearful and subdued a