How many hours till the first results come in?

[brettdale]

What time do they first come in?

[flyingfysh]

1. In Massachusetts polls close at 8pm

So don't look for anything except exit polls before then.

[NoSheep]

2. TV coverage begins at 8 I heard - on the east coast

[shawn703]

3. Shortly after 6:00?

I think that's when polls close in Indiana and Kentucky.

[BOSSHOG]

4. faux will be declaring republican victories about 4 this afternoon

[applegrove]

5. Legally the exit polls can be published after 5:00. Pollster & network

representatives are in lockdown in a room somewhere till 5:00.

[cali]

6. The earliest closings are 6 EST, in Indiana and KY

There are some bellweather races in both states; 4 in Indiana and two in Kentucky.

[ACK]

7. Don't be in a hurry

Early results hurt turnout on the left coast. We do NOT want that.

[shawn703]

9. Is that true for a midterm election?

I've heard that said for presidential elections, but I thought midterms were different?

[ACK]

11. This election is very national in nature

Some people might feel if it looks like the Dems will take the house then they won.

We do not want to get cocky we have to stay lean and mean and help the folks if you live out west to get out that vote.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Florida closes at 7:00 PM

but we cover two time zones.

Someone posted a map with all the closing times this morning.

[sillyphoenix]

10. NY polls close at 9 PM EST.

99% of districts will have reported by midnight.

[Peace Patriot]

12. P L E A S E--let's put the kabosh on all whining about faster results!

Speed is KILLING our election system. The pressure of the media for instant results, the corrupt promises of the e-voting industry of fast, "efficient" vote counting, the common excuse for these rigged electronic systems--speed, speed, speed!

Let ALL the votes be counted. Let it be slow and careful and as observable as possible. STOP pressuring election officials to speed things up!

[ThomWV]

13. Have a nice dinner and then sit back. Its gonna be a long and fun night.

[cnlst8]

14. Tap Tap Tap... i hate waiting

[WilliamPitt]

15. You might find this helpful

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/07/greenfield.key.questions/index.html

Most of the races Dems hope to win are to the East of the Mississippi, so we might find out pretty early what the trends are looking like.