FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, voters stand in line outside the Hamilton County Board of Elections just before it opened for early voting, in Cincinnati. Stock up on munchies and make sure the... (Associated Press) 
 
 Stock up on munchies and make sure the batteries in your TV remote are fresh. With this year's presidential election razor-close to the finish, Tuesday could be a long night. 
 
 Even if the presidency isn't decided until after midnight EST, there will be plenty of clues early in the evening on how things are going for President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. Obama has more options for piecing together the 270 electoral votes needed for victory, so any early setbacks for Romney could be important portents of how the night will end. 
 
 Here's a timetable for armchair election watchers on how the night will unfold, based on what time the last polls close in each state. All times are EST. 
 
 _7 p.m.: Polls close in six states but all eyes will be on Virginia, the first of the battleground states to begin reporting results. If either candidate is comfortably ahead in Virginia, with 13 electoral votes, that could be a leading indicator of which way the night is going. 
 
 Virginia typically has been fairly fast at counting ballots. But there's a new voter ID law in the state that could complicate things this year. Voters who don't bring identification to the polls still can have their ballots counted if they produce ID by Friday. If the race in Virginia is super tight, it could come down to those provisional ballots. On Election Night, no one will even know how many of them are out there. 
 
 Virginia is especially important for Romney. In 2008, Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Virginia since 1964. Keep an eye on turnout in northern Virginia's Democratic strongholds for an early idea of which way the state will go. 
 
 _7:30 p.m.: Polls close in three states, including all-important Ohio (18 electoral votes) and competitive North Carolina (15). 
 
 If Ohio is particularly close, and polls suggest it might be, there's a chance the outcome there won't be known until after Election Day, and the presidency could hinge on it. In the last several elections, between 2 percent and 3 percent of the state's votes came from provisional ballots, which aren't counted until later. In 2004, after a long, tense night counting votes, the presidential race wasn't decided until 11 a.m. the next day, when Democrat John Kerry called President George Bush to concede Ohio and the presidency. 
 
 Romney desperately needs Ohio; no Republican has won the presidency without it. Without Ohio, Romney would need victories in nearly all the remaining up-for-grabs states and he'd have to pick off key states now leaning Obama's way, such as Wisconsin and Iowa. Obama has more work-arounds than Romney if he can't claim Ohio. 
 
 In North Carolina, the most conservative of the hotly contested states, Romney appeared to have the late edge in polling. Obama, who narrowly won the state in 2008, has paid less attention to it recently. An Obama victory there could point to broader troubles for Romney. 
 
 _8 p.m.: More pieces of the puzzle will start falling into place as polls close in the District of Columbia and 16 states, including battlegrounds Florida (29) and New Hampshire (four). 
 
 Democratic-leaning parts of Florida tend to be the last places to report, so be careful about jumping to a conclusion if Romney looks strong early on. Most of the polls in Florida close at 7 p.m. Eastern, so by 8 p.m. Eastern, when the last polls close, results will start to roll out quickly. But fully 4.5 percent of votes in Florida weren't counted on election night in 2008, so if things are tight, no one's going to be hasty about declaring a victor in the state. Especially after the 2000 fiasco in which the winner in Florida, and thus the presidency, wasn't determined for more than a month. If you want to get really granular, Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, is widely considered a bellwether for the state. 
 
 Tiny New Hampshire is another competitive state to watch closely. 
 
 Also keep watch on Pennsylvania for any signs of a Romney surprise. The state has long been considered safe for Obama, but Republicans started running ads there in the final week of the campaign and the GOP ticket was campaigning there Sunday. No Republican presidential candidate has carried the state in nearly a quarter century. 
 
 _8:30 p.m.: Polls close in Arkansas (six), where Romney is comfortably ahead in surveys. 
 
 _9 p.m.: Polls close in 14 states, including battlegrounds Colorado (nine) and Wisconsin (10). Democrats have carried Wisconsin for six straight presidential elections and Obama had the edge in polling going in, so a flip here would be especially noteworthy. 
 
 Colorado, where almost 80 percent of voters cast early ballots, could be a straggler because it's so close. Historically, as much as 10 percent of the state's vote doesn't get counted on election night, and those ballots could be decisive in a close race. 
 
 Information from exit polls could help flesh out the Colorado picture: Young professionals and Hispanic voters were central to Obama's victory there in 2008, but the sluggish economy has hurt his standing. 
 
 Two more to watch: Minnesota and Michigan. The states long have been considered safe for Obama, but the Republicans made late moves there. 
 
 _ 10 p.m.: Polls close in four states, including the last of the battlegrounds, Iowa (six) and Nevada (six). 
 
 Iowa's been leaning toward Obama, but watch how the vote breaks down geographically. Can Romney's advantage in GOP-heavy western Iowa overcome Obama's edge in eastern swing territory? 
 
 If Obama wins Ohio and Wisconsin, Romney would have to have help from the West, in places like Nevada and Colorado. Nevada, where two-thirds of the electorate votes early, has been moving Obama's direction in recent weeks, powered by strength in huge labor and Hispanic voting blocs. A Romney incursion there would really mean something 
 
 _11 p.m.: Polls close in five western states, but most are foregone conclusions for Obama. He gets 78 electoral votes from California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington; Romney gets four from Idaho. 
 
 _ 1 a.m. Wednesday: The last of the polls close, in Alaska. Romney gets three electoral votes. Will many people still be up? 
 
 Political junkies could well be waiting to see how things play out in one or more battleground states. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nbenac 

 3 years ago 
 
 (CNN) - New polls released Monday indicate the presidential race is neck and neck in two battleground states. 
 
 A CNN Poll of Polls show President Barack Obama has a narrow two-point edge over Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, 50%-48%, and a three-point edge over his Republican challenger in Iowa, 48%-45%. 
 
 Watch CNN's comprehensive coverage of Election Day starting at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday on CNN TV and follow online at CNN.com or via CNN's apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. For up-to-the-minute results, go to cnn.com/results and for our real-time Election Day live blog, check out cnn.com/conversation. Need other reasons to watch Election Day coverage on CNN's platforms? Click here for our list. 
 
 
 
 In New Hampshire, the Poll of Polls is an average of three polls of likely voters in the Granite State conducted in the past week: American Research Group (Nov. 2-4); WMUR/University of New Hampshire (Nov. 1-4); and NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist (Oct. 28-29). The Poll of Polls does not have a sampling error. 
 
 The latest survey was released by American Research Group on Monday and showed Obama and Romney tied at 49%. Earlier Monday, a separate survey indicated the president was up by three points, 51% to 48%, over his Republican challenger. 
 
 With four electoral votes, New Hampshire has been a contested battleground throughout the presidential race. Romney launched his White House bid in the state in 2011 and will hold a rally there Monday night, on the eve of the election. Obama traveled to the state Sunday. 
 
 - Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker 
 
 In Iowa, The CNN Poll of Polls is an average of three Iowa polls of likely voters conducted in the past week: American Research Group (Nov. 2-4); Des Moines Register (Oct. 30-Nov. 2); and NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist (Oct. 28-29). The Poll of Polls does not have a sampling error. 
 
 The latest survey, from American Research Group, was released Monday and showed Romney with a one point edge over Obama, 49%-48%. The Des Moines Register poll on Saturday, however, indicated the president had a 47%-42% advantage. 
 
 - Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November. 
 
 With six electoral votes, the state has long been considered a toss-up and coveted territory by both campaigns. Obama holds his final campaign rally Monday night in Iowa, a state he credits with launching him on a path to winning the Democratic nomination in 2008. GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan will also be in Iowa Monday. 
 
 - CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. 

 Times for poll closings and the expected release of results for the Nov. 6 general election are listed state-by-state below. Please note that some states span more than one time zone. Also, poll opening hours may vary within each state, and voters should verify their locality’s voting hours with the state’s election office. The first poll closings are expected in Indiana and Kentucky at 6 p.m. EST. Expected times are listed in Eastern Standard Time as provided by The Associated Press on Sept. 11. 
 
 Table of contents: Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Deleware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming 
 
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 Expected times are listed in Eastern Standard Time as provided by The Associated Press on Sept. 11. 
 
 Alabama poll closings 
 
 In Alabama, poll closing times are 7 and 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Alaska poll closings 
 
 In Alaska, poll closing times are 11 p.m and 12 and 1 a.m. EST (Nov. 7). First voting results are expected at (Nov. 7) 1 a.m. EST. 
 
 Arizona poll closings 
 
 In Arizona, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 10 p.m. EST. 
 
 Arkansas poll closings 
 
 In Arkansas, poll closing time is 8:30 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8:30 p.m. EST. 
 
 California poll closings 
 
 In California, poll closing time is 11 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 11 p.m. EST. 
 
 Colorado poll closings 
 
 In Colorado, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Connecticut poll closings 
 
 In Connecticut, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Delaware poll closings 
 
 In Delaware, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 D.C. poll closings 
 
 In D.C., poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Florida poll closings 
 
 In Florida, poll closing times are 7 and 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 Georgia poll closings 
 
 In Georgia, poll closing time is 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 Hawaii poll closings 
 
 In Hawaii, poll closing time is 11 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 11 p.m. EST. 
 
 Idaho poll closings 
 
 In Idaho, poll closing times are 10 and 11 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 11 p.m. EST. 
 
 Illinois poll closings 
 
 In Illinois, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Indiana poll closings 
 
 In Indiana, poll closing times are 6 and 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 6 p.m. EST. 
 
 Iowa poll closings 
 
 In Iowa, poll closing time is 10 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 10 p.m. EST. 
 
 Kansas poll closings 
 
 In Kansas, poll closing times are 8 and 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Kentucky poll closings 
 
 In Kentucky, poll closing times are 6 and 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 6 p.m. EST. 
 
 Louisiana poll closings 
 
 In Louisiana, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Maine poll closings 
 
 In Maine, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Maryland poll closings 
 
 In Maryland, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Massachusetts poll closings 
 
 In Massachusetts, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Michigan poll closings 
 
 In Michigan, poll closing times are 8 and 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Minnesota poll closings 
 
 In Minnesota, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Mississippi poll closings 
 
 In Mississippi, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Missouri poll closings 
 
 In Missouri, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Montana poll closings 
 
 In Montana, poll closing time is 10 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 10 p.m. EST. 
 
 Nebraska poll closings 
 
 In Nebraska, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Nevada poll closings 
 
 In Nevada, poll closing time is 10 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 10 p.m. EST. 
 
 New Hampshire poll closings 
 
 In New Hampshire, poll closing times are 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 New Jersey poll closings 
 
 In New Jersey, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 New Mexico poll closings 
 
 In New Mexico, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 New York poll closings 
 
 In New York, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 North Carolina poll closings 
 
 In North Carolina, poll closing time is 7:30 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7:30 p.m. EST. 
 
 North Dakota poll closings 
 
 In North Dakota, poll closing times are 8 and 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Ohio poll closings 
 
 In Ohio, poll closing times are 7:30 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7:30 p.m. EST. 
 
 Oklahoma poll closings 
 
 In Oklahoma, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Oregon poll closings 
 
 In Oregon, poll closing times are 10 and 11 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 11 p.m. EST. 
 
 Pennsylvania poll closings 
 
 In Pennsylvania, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Rhode Island poll closings 
 
 In Rhode Island, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 South Carolina poll closings 
 
 In South Carolina, poll closing time is 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 South Dakota poll closings 
 
 In South Dakota, poll closing times are 8 and 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Tennessee poll closings 
 
 In Tennessee, poll closing time is 8 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Texas poll closings 
 
 In Texas, poll closing times are 8 and 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 8 p.m. EST. 
 
 Utah poll closings 
 
 In Utah, poll closing time is 10 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 10 p.m. EST. 
 
 Vermont poll closings 
 
 In Vermont, poll closing time is 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 Virginia poll closings 
 
 In Virginia, poll closing time is 7 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7 p.m. EST. 
 
 Washington poll closings 
 
 In Washington, poll closing time is 11 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 11 p.m. EST. 
 
 West Virginia poll closings 
 
 In West Virginia, poll closing time is 7:30 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 7:30 p.m. EST. 
 
 Wisconsin poll closings 
 
 In Wisconsin, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 
 
 Wyoming poll closings 
 
 In Wyoming, poll closing time is 9 p.m. EST. First voting results are expected at 9 p.m. EST. 

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– Today's the day ... but not much will happen until tonight. An hourly rundown of what to watch for in the quest for the big 270 (all times EST): 6pm: And the polls start closing! Indiana and Kentucky are the first to close a portion of their polls. The states aren't officially done until 7pm, but Politico reports that their first polling results are expected at 6pm. 7pm: Six states completely shut their doors, the most notable of which is battleground state Virginia, which went blue in 2008 for the first time since 1964. Obama and Romney were virtually tied there, according to a poll out yesterday; if either manages to grab the state's 13 electoral votes by a comfortable margin, that could be telling, reports the AP. 7:30pm: The star of this time slot is Ohio (18 electoral votes), though it shares the spotlight with fellow swing-state North Carolina (15). Real Clear Politics' average of a slew of polls gives Obama a three-point edge in Ohio. 8pm: Polling ends in the District of Columbia and 16 states, with Florida (29) and New Hampshire (four) leading the list of ones to watch; a CNN Poll of Polls yesterday had Obama up 50% to 48% in the Granite State. The majority of Florida's polls actually close at 7pm, but the AP cautions Florida-watchers from declaring victory or defeat too quickly: Some of the state's Democratic strongholds are typically last to report. Also keep an eye on Pennsylvania (21), which Romney is hoping to grab from Obama. 8:30pm: The lone state of Arkansas (six) closes its polls; Romney should take it easily. 9pm: Another 14 states call it quits. Keep an eye on Colorado (nine), along with three states that are expected to go blue: Wisconsin (10), Minnesota (10), and Michigan (17). If Romney is able to flip any of them, it's big news. 10pm: Among this hour's four states are the last of the battlegrounds: Iowa (six) and Nevada (six). If Romney doesn't take Ohio and Wisconsin, he needs Nevada. 11pm: Polls close in five western states, and there shouldn't be any surprises. Obama will add 78 electoral votes from California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington to his tally; Romney gets four from Idaho. 1am: Should you still be awake, you can watch Romney take Alaska's three electoral votes.