After 22 Months of Campaigning, It's Finally Election Day

Making News

Networks' Plans for Exit Polls ()

All the broadcast networks and cable outlets share a single source for exit polling across the country.  Four years ago, their data led to early calls that John Kerry had won the election. Those calls, of course, turned out to be wrong. Will there be greater caution this time around? Jacques Steinberg reports for the New York Times.

Guests:

• Jacques Steinberg: Reporter, New York Times

Main Topic

Election Day in America ()

When it all started 22 months ago, the big issue was the war in Iraq. When the presidential candidates finally gave way to the voters, it was all about the economy. Today, voters began lining up before the polls opened on the eastern seaboard, and the pattern repeated itself with long lines forming across the country. The race, gender and age of the candidates will make this election historic whichever side wins, and the turnout's expected to set a record. Both parties and the Department of Justice are looking for evidence of fraud or disenfranchisement. Is the electorate changing? Do American voters expect more than any president can deliver?  When will we know the results?

Guests:

• Curtis Hubbard: Political Editor, Denver Post
• Chris Kromm: Executive Director, Institute for Southern Studies, @chriskromm
• Jonathan Riskind: Washington Bureau Chief, Columbus Dispatch
• Marcia Gelbart: City Hall Bureau Chief, Philadelphia Inquirer
• Ron Brownstein: Political Director, Atlantic Media, @RonBrownstein
• Ezra Klein: Associate Editor, American Prospect, @ezraklein

Reporter's Notebook

Could State Ballot Measures Increase Voter Turnout across the US? ()

Ballot initiatives have become increasingly common, and increasingly divisive, across the country. There are no less than 153 ballot initiatives in various states, with subjects including same sex marriage, abortion and affirmative action, all of which have the capacity to increase turnout. This year, three states are voting on same sex marriage. Jennie Drage Bowser is a senior elections analyst with the National Conference of State Legislators

Guests:

• Jennie Drage Bowser: Senior Elections Analyst, National Conference of State Legislators

Links:

• Denver Post on today's election
• Columbus Dispatch on the election
• Philadelphia Inquirer on the election
• The Atlantic on the election
• American Prospect on the election
• Federal judge rejects NAACP lawsuit on voting hours and paper ballots, Institute for Southern Studies on