2. Pay Attention at 7:30 PM ET

Alex Brandon / AP
Three key states Virginia, Indiana and Ohio have polls that close by 7:30 p.m. ET. If Obama wins just one of these, McCain's chances go from slim to next-to-none. If Obama wins two or three, look for early talk of a Democratic rout. But if McCain takes all three, to channel Dan Rather, the night will be as long as the first-place winner in a BeyoncéJessica Simpson hair-extension contest.
Read dispatches from the election frontlines.
Watch TIME's video, "In Indiana, Red-County Blues."
View the full list for "Mark Halperin's 5 Things to Watch on Election Day"
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