What To Look For On Election Night

As the night unfolds when polls begin closing (7:00pm Eastern is when the first round of polls close) and votes start being counted, here are some interesting things to look for:

-The legalization of marijuana - medicinal and recreational - will be on the ballot in three western states: Colorado Washington, and Oregon. Massachusetts, Arkansas, and Montana may legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes only.

-Tea Party favourites and GOP firebrands Allen West (FL), Michele Bachmann (MN), and Joe "Deadbeat Dad" Walsh (IL) are all in very close races and may be unseated.

-Maine will have a ballot initiative that would legalize marriage equality (it is projected to pass).

-Maryland and Washington state have ballot initiatives on whether or not to uphold their states' recently passed marriage equality bills.

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL)

-Minnesota has a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as solely between one man and one woman. The measure needs at least a 50% yes vote to pass (instead of merely a plurality).

-One of the judges in the Iowa Supreme Court who ruled in favour of marriage equality in that state is up for a retention vote and anti-equality forces are gunning for his seat (3 of his colleagues lost their seats after being targeted for supporting equality).

-There are several close Senate races such as those in Montana, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin that may decide which party leads the Senate.

-There are claims of voter fraud and faulty machines in Pennsylvania, and Ohio has had some shady dealings in the electoral process care of their Sec. of State Jon Husted. If Ohio winds up an electoral disaster, don't be surprised.

For good or ill (though most likely both), it will be a long night.