Electoral College votes are based on a winner take all tally based on the popular vote on a per state basis. In Pennsylvania, Barack Obama won by eleven points over John McCain, which gave him all 21 of the state's electoral votes. This is how electoral votes are tallied in 48 of the 50 states - the two notable exceptions being Maine and Nebraska. These two states split their electoral votes in a unique manner: part of the votes are reserved for the typical winner take all tally (three in each state) while the remaining electoral votes are assigned based on the popular vote for congressional districts in each state (two in Nebraska, one in Maine). Barack Obama has won the popular vote in Nebraska's 2^nd Congressional District. From the Associated Press:

OMAHA, Neb. – President-elect Barack Obama won one of Nebraska's electoral votes, the first time in history that the state has split its votes and the first time in 44 years that it had given a vote to a Democrat.

After remaining ballots were counted Friday, Obama had a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial results for the 2nd Congressional District. Nebraska and Maine are the two states that divide their electoral votes by congressional districts.

Obama, who won the White House last week, has 365 electoral votes to McCain's 162. Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, is still too close to call. Election officials in that state have until Tuesday to finish counting.

The last Democrat to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson, who carried the state in 1964.

Prior to the election, when I was playing around with the interactive Electoral College map at 270toWin.com, I kept coming up with scenarios where the election was tied with 269 electors assigned to each candidate. It occurred to me that if Omaha were to come out strong for Obama, splitting Nebraska's electoral vote, that would break the tie in favour of Obama. Obviously, the electoral college results were not nearly as close when all was said and done, Obama securing himself a comfortable victory. However, it is still an interesting bit of historical trivia to note that not only will Obama be the first Black President, he will also be the first President who was elected who managed to split Nebraska's Electoral vote.

Based on exit polls, the media is calling the election for Obama. I'm tired, cranky and generally dishevelled, so I've decided to go to bed. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can wake up from this nightmare (although I doubt it).

Today is the day - as the worst campaign season I can remember comes to a close, there is only one thing left to do: find your polling station and...

VOTE!

Note: I only endorse the Republican candidates for the top of the ticket. I strongly encourage a split ticket this election, with a vote cast for McCain/Palin at the top and all Democratic votes for the rest of the candidates downticket. Furthermore, if you live in California, vote NO on Proposition 8 (gay marriage ban); if you live in Pennsylvania, vote YES on Act 64 (clean water referendum).

Senator John McCain is holding a Victory Rally in Moon tomorrow morning. I'm seriously thinking of going, out of curiosity more than anything. As joi_division pointed out to me, "there's no free entertainment like watching a politician." And, let's face it, Obama rallies are above my paygrade.

Also, I may actually run into a fair share of other Democrats there, if Pittsburgh is anything like Scranton.

So, since I'm on vacation and in need of free entertainment, I'll more likely than not be attending. This, of course, officially makes me a "bad Democrat," but given how bad the Democratic Party has acted this election season, I can't say I'm too bothered by that. Besides, "falling in line" is for Republicans.

None of the networks this was being broadcast on streamed it over the web. Thus, I began watching after the Obama campaign posted it on their official YouTube channel. I got eight minutes into it before YouTube's servers crapped out. Maybe you'll have better luck:

I like what Obama says, but the words are like particles of dust in a windstorm.

The election is next week...gods help us all...

If you find yourself clueless about the candidates, now would be an excellent time for a cramming session. Of course, if you aren't aware of any races aside from the Presidential one, I'd suggest you study up on your downticket candidates. Picking candidates and positions on referendums at random is just as bad as not voting.

Sometimes I think the media pushes a narrative in an attempt to cause trouble because having nothing to report is bad for their bottom line. Is that paranoid and cynical of me? You're damn right it is! From The Hill:

Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.

Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation’s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.

Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following professional sports events) and also on Internet rumors.

Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.

Sen. Obama (Ill.), the Democratic nominee for president, has seen his lead over rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) grow in recent weeks, prompting speculation that there could be a violent backlash if he loses unexpectedly.

Cities that have suffered unrest before, such as Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia, will have extra police deployed.

Two more weeks until this shit is over with!

Having come down with the plague, I did not go out to the Obama supporters' debate watch party tonight as I did for the prior two debates. True, while I am not an Obama supporter, I prefer the company of other Democrats and I do admit that I want to be able to change my mind. Unfortunately, Obama's performance tonight will not cause that to happen.

The format of tonight's debate was the town hall meeting, a format preferred by John McCain. As such, McCain was right in his element and it showed. Meanwhile, Obama seemed uncomfortable, not even cracking a joke right up until the very end. Furthermore, neither Obama nor McCain were doing much to differentiate their policy positions, which is pretty much guaranteed to keep the race in a statistical dead heat. For being in his element and carrying himself well, John McCain ekes out a small victory in round two. I doubt that this will sway decided voters either way. Meanwhile, undecided voters are likely more confused than ever, thinking, "the differences in their positions are all in nuance...and both are likeable...who to vote for?"

Honestly, the more I watch these two candidates in action, the more I believe that downticket races are where the most important policy-shaping will take place. Regardless of whether I decide to "come home" and vote for Obama or if I maintain my current position of voting in protest for McCain, all of my votes for every position down the ticket, from senators to congressmen to city council members to the dogcatcher will be for Democrats.

Well, I've made up my mind: Joe Biden for President. While Palin far exceeded expectations set low by a disastrous interview with Katie Couric, Biden effectively took the floor and the edge to make the winning point of the debate his. Also, moderator Gwen Ifill seemed to behave herself, despite being in the tank for Obama.

Overall, I was left with the distinct impression that the Democratic ticket would be better off with Biden as the Presidential candidate. So, I'll say it again: Joe Biden for President.

Memo to Barack Obama: this is why post-partisanship does not work.

Incidentally, Lambert at Corrente points out that Senator Obama did not once use the word "Democrat" during last night's debate. So, we can vote republican or we can vote...?