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POLL HOURS

6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Anyone standing in line at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

To find your precinct, go to guilfordelections.org.

BEST TIMES TO VOTE

Contrary to what some believe, getting in line first thing in the morning is not the best idea. The shortest waits may actually be midmorning and midafternoon. Also avoid the morning and evening rush hours, when crowds going to work and coming home from work go vote.

TURNOUT PROJECTIONS

Guilford County: 273,000 voters or 77 percent (record, 68 percent, 2004)

North Carolina: 83 percent

United States: 63 percent

WHAT'S AT STAKE

PRESIDENT

You’ve seen, heard and read plenty about the race between Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate, and Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee. Bob Barr, a Libertarian, is on North Carolina’s ballot, too. The magic number is 270, the Electoral College vote total required for election.

U.S. SENATE (35 races)

Democrats hold a 51-49 edge. Analysts project the party could reach the 60-seat threshold, which allows the majority party to block filibusters. In North Carolina, Greensboro state Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Republican.

U.S. HOUSE (all 435 seats)

Democrats hold a 235-199 edge, with one seat vacant. Among the North Carolina races, with incumbents listed first:

6th District: Rep. Howard Coble, Republican, vs. Teresa Sue Bratton, Democrat

12th District: Rep. Mel Watt, Democrat, vs. Ty Cobb Jr., Republican

13th District: Rep. Brad Miller, Democrat, vs. Hugh Webster, Republican

GOVERNOR (11 races)

In North Carolina, Democratic Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue faces Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, a Republican.

REFERENDUMS

Voters in Greensboro will decide on these bonds:

* $134 million for transportation

* $50 million for War Memorial Auditorium renovation

* $20 million for parks and recreation

* $1 million for housing

Voters in Guilford County will decide on a quarter-cent sales tax.

ALSO

To be determined in contested races:

* One N.C. Senate and two N.C. House seats

* Council of State offices

* One N.C. Supreme Court seat, five on the N.C. Court of Appeals and five District Court judgeships

* Two Guilford County Board of Education seats

* Two Guilford County commissioners seats

* High Point City Council seats for at-large, Ward 2 and Ward 6

* Soil and Water District supervisor

BOARDS OF ELECTIONS

State Board of Elections: www.sboe.state.nc.us

Guilford Board of Elections: 641-3936, 641-3836, 845-7895 or guilfordelections.org

Rockingham Board of Elections: 342-8107 or www.co.rockingham.nc.us/Election/boeindex.htm

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

Before casting your ballot, review it. If you have a problem with a machine, call over a precinct official. If you suspect or encounter any voter fraud, intimidation or other voting rights abuses, contact the Guilford County Board of Elections or Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Hamilton at 333-5351 or 332-6314.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Log on to news-record.com during the day and share your voting experience.

AT NEWS-RECORD.COM NOW

Click on the Decision 2008 logo to find candidate information, sample ballots and more.

AT NEWS-RECORD.COM TONIGHT

Take a break from the talking heads and stop by news-record.com to find:

* Links to live results from the area boards of elections.

* Keep up with the Electoral College with an interactive map.

* Find out how North Carolina counties cast their vote for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and governor.

* See how the balance of power will play out.
* Hear from voters, pundits and political experts.

* Find out what the results mean to you with an analysis of the election.

KIDS VOTING

Parents can take their children to the polls today to participate in Kids Voting. Nearly all of the 165 precincts will have paper ballots available. Information and results: kidsvotingguilford.org.

THE FORECAST

Weather.com says:

8 a.m.: 54 degrees, 60 percent chance of showers

10 a.m.: 57 degrees, 60 percent chance of showers

2 p.m.: 57 degrees, 50 percent chance of showers

6 p.m.: 57 degrees, 30 percent chance of a few showers