Politics & Government

When Will Presidential Election 2012 Results Be Announced?

California polls close at 8 p.m., but some precincts in swing states elsewhere close earlier.

So you've cast your ballot, maybe even waited in line if you did so in person as turnout appears to be up around the Bay Area and California.

But how long will you have to wait to find out who'll be in the White House come January?

It might be a late night.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

California voters have until 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to cast their Election 2012 ballots, but voting in other key swing states ends as much as an hour earlier, and exit polling could provide an early clue whether President Obama or Mitt Romney us closer to the White House.

The earliest key state to watch is Virginia, where polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Voting ends 30 minutes later in the swing states of Ohio and North Carolina. As Michigan's polls close, the swing states of Florida, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire close their polls, too.

Nevada and Iowa, two other swing states that could prove pivotal in this year's presidential election, close voting at 10 p.m. Eastern.

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