TODAY’S THE DAY! – The Election Day Info Dump
By Matt Hooper
Today is the day that’s been 1,440 days in the making. Election Day 2008, here in Alabama and across the nation. The choice is yours between Barack Obama/Joe Biden and John McCain/Sarah Palin.
Below is everything you need to know about today’s vote, where to find the latest information, a little bit of history from this historic(ally long) campaign and some entertaining avenues to vent your election day jitters whilst you wait for the final tally to come in.
FIRST, here’s what you need to know about today’s vote in Alabama:
The polls are open here from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No one will be allowed to cast their vote after 7 p.m. unless they are already in line before the polls close.
You must be registered to vote. To find out if you are registered (and where to cast your ballot) CLICK HERE. If there is a problem with your registration status, you may request a provisional ballot. After filling a provisional ballot, make sure to get instructions from a polling place official as to how to verify your identity later in the day.
If you experience any problems while voting, please call this number: 1-800-274-8683. That’s the number for the office of the Alabama Secretary of State, Beth Chapman.
SECOND, who do I vote for:
Birmingham Weekly has endorsed Barack Obama as the best choice for President. Read our writer’s endorsements below:
THIRD, what to watch for on election night:
How will you know who’s got the early advantage as the polls begin to close? What about the down-ballot races? Will the Democrats own 60 Senate seats? Find out by reading these expert guides, offering advice on what to watch for tonight.
NBC’s Chuck Todd previews each state’s relevant races HERE
538.com’s Nate Silver gives Newsweek the lowdown on hour-by-hour presidential handicapping HERE.
And your’s truly worked awfully hard on these battleground state previews. Be sure to click on the thumbnails on the bottom of each posting.
FOURTH, what Web sites to visit for the most up-to-date information:
Well, obviously, THIS ONE!
Next, TIME’s political director and campaign vet, MARK HALPERIN and THE PAGE.
Then, BEN SMITH and JONATHAN MARTIN at POLITICO.
Don’t forget CHRIS CILLIZZA and THE FIX.
Or the fantasitic writers at THE ATLANTIC: MARC AMBINDER and ANDREW SULLIVAN.
Follow the real-time results here at CNN.
Get the skinny on poll closings throughout the country HERE.
And please visit our favorite electoral math Web site: 538!
FIFTH, how did we get to this point in the first place? Here are a few delightful recaps of the race to this point:
First, profanity aside, this is the greatest recap of this election on the Web, HERE.
Slate has several BRILLIANT vids recapping the DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FIGHT and parts of the general election HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Remember Mike Huckabee? YES YOU DO. (NSFW language)
And how about that Mike Gravel? As Mark Kelly would say, “that crazy bastard!” THREE CLASSIC MUST-SEE VIDS: HERE, HERE and HERE. Remember, “you may be a lover, but you ain’t no dancer”.
SIXTH, need a mental health break during the election? Check out these entertaining pop culture/politics mash-ups:
