Virginia votes

All eyes tonight are on the swing states, including Virginia, one of the key battlegrounds in the presidential race. Obama carried Virginia in 2008 by 52.7 percent to 46.4 percent, in a state that has been voting Republican for the last 10 elections. Virginia is one of the big battleground states, like Colorado and New Hampshire, offering the winner 13 electoral votes.

This time around, it seems to be a long night counting votes in Virginia, not just for the tight presidential race but for the Senate race as well. The most expensive senatorial campaign in country, estimated at $84 million for the combined campaigns, had Governor Tim Kaine vying against Senator George Allen for one of the 33 seats up for grabs vacated by outgoing Democratic Senator Jim Webb.

Turnout in 2012 looked a lot like 2008, but it remains to be seen if the votes will favor the President or Governor Romney. There were long lines at the polls, in very cold, below average temperatures, but people did not give up.

Voters in Virginia were bombarded with Get-Out-The-Vote calls from both campaigns. Frustration and fatigue took over, as appeals poured in from both sides. Maryland volunteers were summoned to call Virginian supporters of the two candidates and remind them to vote.

“I think the victory today all across the country is going to be determined by already decided voters and who gets the most of them out”, said Maryland State Senator Ron Young.

Letty Carpenter, one of the MD Obama volunteers calling VA, said, “I developed a real connection when I was familiar with the road they lived on, and some of the people I called knew my husband. And that was real rewarding. This is very important because every vote counts.”

—Kid Reporter Hannah Prensky