A viewer’s guide to the battle for the Senate:
7 p.m. — Early indications
Watch for results after New Hampshire and Virginia polls close. If Republicans win these seats, now held by Democrats, they probably will take the Senate.
If Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell loses Kentucky, Democrats probably will keep the Senate.
8 p.m. — 2014 in microcosm
North Carolina is solidly purple, having gone narrowly for Barack Obama in 2008 and narrowly for Mitt Romney in 2012. Sen. Kay R. Hagan, a Democrat, rode to victory on Mr. Obama’s coattails in 2008 but has a slim record. Republican challenger Thom Tillis’ long record as speaker of the state House gives Ms. Hagan plenty of targets to aim for.
9 p.m. — 2014 in microcosm, Part II
Results start coming in from South Dakota, Colorado and Louisiana, where Republicans could make gains.
10 p.m. — The pigs come home to roost
Montana is the third of the traditionally Republican states where voters are expected to go red. Iowa is another state where Democrats hoped they wouldn’t face a serious challenge, but Joni Ernst earned her pig-castrating credentials. A Democratic split would be good news for President Obama.
1 a.m. — The late show
Even if no races go to runoffs, we won’t know final Senate details until Wednesday morning, when Alaska’s polls close. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat, won a fluke election in 2008, but Alaskans generally vote Republican.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.