CINCINNATI — Months of campaigns, debates and rallies on the local and national level has all led to today: Election Day.
RELATED: Election 2020 FAQs: What to know before heading to the polls
While many Americans have already voted early or absentee, today marks the last chance people will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in the 2020 general election.
RESULTS: Real-time election tallies across the Tri-State
12:20 a.m.: Democrat Charmaine McGuffey is elected Hamilton County Sheriff, defeating Republican Bruce Hoffbauer.
BREAKING: Democrat Charmaine McGuffey has been elected Hamilton County's next sheriff. https://t.co/syB8jXjjwz
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
12:19 a.m.: Donald Trump wins Ohio, according to ABC and Associated Press projections.
BREAKING: Donald Trump wins Ohio. #APracecall at 12:19 a.m. EST. #Election2020 https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
12:07 a.m.: Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters wins reelection over Democratic challenger Fanon Rucker.
BREAKING: Republican incumbent Joe Deters has been reelected Hamilton County prosecutor. https://t.co/oPMPBwGPNG
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
11:45 p.m.: Republican Steve Chabot wins reelection to U.S. House in Ohio's 1st Congressional District.
BREAKING: Republican Steve Chabot wins reelection to U.S. House in Ohio's 1st Congressional District. #APracecall at 11:44 p.m. EST. #Election2020 #OHelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
10:12 p.m.: The race for Hamilton County Sheriff is tightening.
The race is tightening for the Hamilton County Sheriff's race. This is with 306 of 563 precincts reporting. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/0C6gj4tmTw
— Mariel Carbone (@MarielCarbone) November 4, 2020
10:06 p.m.: Amy McGrath, challenger to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, tweeted this statement after the incumbent was projected to win re-election Tuesday.
I’m so proud of what this grassroots campaign achieved. This race was never about me - or Mitch McConnell - it was about Kentuckians. The legacy of this campaign will be that we don’t have to accept politics as usual. I look forward to building a better future for Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/SHlweJof1I
— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) November 4, 2020
10:06 p.m.: Out of Middletown.
City of Middletown Income tax fails by a final vote of 53.04% to 46.96%. @WCPO
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) November 4, 2020
9:59 p.m.: Brad Wenstrup retains his 2nd Congressional District of Ohio seat in the U.S. House.
BREAKING: Republican Brad Wenstrup wins reelection to U.S. House in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. #APracecall at 10:00 p.m. EST. #Election2020 #OHelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
9:27 p.m.: Ballots arrive at the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
Ballots from various polling places are arriving at the Hamilton County Board of Elections. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/7hBLaJbBSD
— Matthew Wood (@PhotogMattW) November 4, 2020
9:06 p.m.: WCPO's Jake Ryle is in Warren County.
54 out of 175 precincts reporting in Warren County. Donald Trump with 59% of the vote so far. @WCPO
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) November 4, 2020
8:52 p.m.: Donald Trump wins VP Mike Pence's home state of Indiana, acc. to the Associated Press.
BREAKING: Donald Trump wins Indiana. #APracecall at 8:52 p.m. EST. #Election2020
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
8:44 p.m.: Mitch McConnell addresses supporters after the Associated Press declared him the winner against challenger, Amy McGrath:
8:43 p.m.: McConnell touts being the only congressional leader representing a "Middle America" state.
NOW: @senatemajldr speaks in Louisville echoes "I'm the only one of four leaders from Middle America."
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) November 4, 2020
Says he appreciates @AmyMcGrathKY's "willingness to step forward." @WCPO pic.twitter.com/1AuTxjCKwv
8:41 p.m.: Successor to former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio's 8th Congressional District wins re-election.
BREAKING: Republican Warren Davidson wins reelection to U.S. House in Ohio's 8th Congressional District. #APracecall at 8:39 p.m. EST. #Election2020 #OHelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
8:37 p.m.: More numbers from other races across Hamilton County.
Here's a look at some more of the Hamilton County races so far. AGAIN, these DO NOT include votes cast today. Numbers will change throughout the night. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/TyYz7eI2g7
— Mariel Carbone (@MarielCarbone) November 4, 2020
8:28 p.m.: First numbers coming out for Hamilton County Sheriff's race.
We've got the first dump of votes in Hamilton County. Right now for the Sheriff's Race, we're seeing 63% for McGuffey, 36% for Hoffbauer. These are the early voting numbers. We've got a lot more to go for tonight. @WCPO
— Mariel Carbone (@MarielCarbone) November 4, 2020
8:26 p.m.: WCPO reporter Jake Ryle reports from Lebanon, Ohio.
Something I’ve noticed here in Lebanon: there’s a sizable portion of workers here who are in their 20s. Great to see! @WCPO pic.twitter.com/2zhgoSlU7Y
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) November 4, 2020
8:02 p.m.: AP calls the Kentucky U.S. Senate race for now seven-time incumbent, Mitch McConnell.
BREAKING: Republican Mitch McConnell wins reelection to U.S. Senate from Kentucky. #APracecall at 8:01 p.m. EST. #Election2020 #KYelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 4, 2020
8:01 p.m.: We'll have an update on Hamilton County results coming up in 30 minutes, per WCPO reporter Kristen Swilley.
Hamilton County voter turnout has officially topped 70%! Live update in the next half hour as numbers start to come in.
— Kristen Swilley (@KristenSwilley) November 4, 2020
8 p.m.: As election results begin to trickle in, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear redirects focus back to the coronavirus pandemic.
Beshear: 'No matter who wins or who loses, we are still at war with this virus'
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
https://t.co/hWvyBu5dWi
7:46 p.m.: Thomas Massie keeps his seat in the House representing Northern Kentucky's 4th District.
BREAKING: Thomas Massie wins reelection to U.S. House in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, @AP projects. https://t.co/DbUmkPHnjb
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
7:37 p.m.: McConnell just overtook McGrath in Kenton County, the challenger's home county.
UPDATE 736PM: Kenton County - @AmyMcGrathKY's home county - just flipped to @senatemajldr with 82% reporting.
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) November 4, 2020
He is now up by 7K votes. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/3JHffbDRQn
7:30 p.m.: Now that polls are closed across the Tri-State, here's our approach to calling races, from News Director Mike Canan:
There will be many news organizations "calling" races tonight. At @WCPO we are only reporting that an election is called if the Associated Press or ABC is projecting a winner in a race.
— Mike Canan (@Mike_Canan) November 4, 2020
7:30 p.m.: And polls are closed in Ohio.
Polls are now CLOSED in Hamilton County for the Nov 3, 2020 election. @HamiltonCntyOH pic.twitter.com/DT0PjbyvUp
— Hamilton County BOE (@VoteHamCoBOE) November 4, 2020
7:20 p.m.: Eric Holcombe has retained his seat as Indiana's governor.
Republican Eric Holcomb has won reelection as Indiana governor, fending off challengers who criticized his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/dLua6s1BVS
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
7:17 p.m.: AP calls the race for president in Kentucky for incumbent, Donald J. Trump:
BREAKING: Donald Trump wins Kentucky, @AP projects. https://t.co/DbUmkPHnjb
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) November 4, 2020
6:59 p.m.: McConnell vs. McGrath could be a volatile race.
KY SENATE: Prepare for wild fluctuations in numbers tonight as counts trickle in. Early/absentee voting, and all.
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) November 3, 2020
But - with 10% reporting at 654PM - @AmyMcGrathKY is up on @senatemajldr - @WCPO pic.twitter.com/LE7mCY57I2
6:46 p.m.: Out of Boone County, Kentucky, from WCPO photographer Philip Lee:
Some early numbers from Boone County’s early and absentee voting. @wcpo pic.twitter.com/xBBMX6HTSb
— Philip Lee (@PhilipRLee) November 3, 2020
6:27 p.m.:
I’m at the Warren County Board of Elections keeping an eye on today’s election results. One hour left to vote here.
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) November 3, 2020
Important to note: the Board of Elections in Lebanon is NOT a polling location today. That was only for early voting. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/iCzM70fsOx
6:11 p.m.:
Kate Shroder tweets pics with Lebanon voters below. @WCPO https://t.co/5UAXPaGPNe
— Courtney Francisco (@CFranciscoWCPO) November 3, 2020
6:03 p.m.: Polls have closed in Indiana and Kentucky.
Polls are closed in Indiana and most of Kentucky (except those Central Time Zone counties out west).
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) November 3, 2020
Anyone in line can still vote. @WCPO
5:45 p.m.: Less than two hours until the polls close in Ohio with nearly 70% turnout in Hamilton County.
The countdown is on! Less than two hours until the polls close in Ohio with nearly 70% turnout in Hamilton County. We’re live with the latest from the Board of Elections at 7. pic.twitter.com/33c3CDfzyz
— Kristen Swilley (@KristenSwilley) November 3, 2020
5:20 p.m.: WCPO reporter Kristen Swilley and photographer Matt Wood were at the Hamilton County Board of Elections just after 5 this afternoon. They'll be
here all evening bringing you the latest results.
It’s election night! @KristenSwilley and I are at the Hamilton County Board of Elections we’ll be here all evening bringing you results. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/jwHVJgoTbX
— Matthew Wood (@PhotogMattW) November 3, 2020
5:00 p.m.: Keep up with WCPO's Evan Millward on the McConnell vs. McGrath for U.S. Senate in Kentucky race tonight.
Covering @senatemajldr and @AmyMcGrathKY tonight for @WCPO - but it's weird. Because covid and 2020...🤦🏼♂️
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) November 3, 2020
An explanation: https://t.co/YsgCWfefkn
4:25 p.m.: WCPO's Courtney Francisco is following the Chabot vs. Schroder race for U.S. Congress in southwest Ohio.
Tonight, I will be live on @wcpo following @KateForCongress and @RepSteveChabot race. Political analyst told us last month: "To say that Steve Chabot is the number one target is almost an understatement. [Chabot's] the number one target of the last 10 years for Democrats."
— Courtney Francisco (@CFranciscoWCPO) November 3, 2020
1:35 p.m.: WCPO's Jennifer Ketchmark reports short lines at Ryle High School in Union, Kentucky.
12:26 p.m.: Not too busy at St. Bernard Church.
Not too busy around the lunchtime hour at St. Bernard Church in St. Bernard. @WCPO #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/WnkFQDlWdz
— Raven Richard (@RavenWCPO) November 3, 2020
11:29 a.m.: Not much of a line at the main library in downtown Cincinnati if you still need to vote.
Doesn’t look like there are lines outside the main library downtown. @WCPO #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/ylRACYWMGu
— Tasha Stewart (@tstewart2) November 3, 2020
10:57 a.m.: Workers said over 200 people have voted already at the Mariemont library precinct. Usually, they see around 400 voters on Election Day.
Poll workers say 200+ people have voted by 10:30am at this Mariemont library precinct. Normal election brings 400 total voters here. So turnout is very heavy. But no line to vote now. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/Em13sYlWMj
— Paula Christian (@PaulaChristian_) November 3, 2020
10:47 a.m.: Ohio's former governor John Kasich said he thinks voter turnout will be high because emotions are running high this election.
Former Ohio Gov. @JohnKasich on @CNN talking about how voter turnout is likely so high because of the intensity of emotions.
— Meghan Goth (@MeghanWesley) November 3, 2020
Kasich also said @JoeBiden likely made a last minute stop in Cleveland because Ohio is so close right now and the Biden campaign sees it as a possibility pic.twitter.com/0ZlBEiCIHA
9:54 a.m.: Not much of a hassle to vote for WCPO anchor Tanya O'Rourke.
Voter #93 at my polling place today. No lines. No hassle. Easy peasy. #GoVote @WCPO
— Tanya O'Rourke (@TanyaORourke) November 3, 2020
-bring a mask
-bring an ID pic.twitter.com/SxsxAm8QtB
8:25 a.m.: No line at Christ Church Cathedral on E 4th Street, WCPO's Tasha Stewart reported.
6:30 a.m.: The polls are now open in Ohio. Find your Ohio polling location here. All polling locations across the Tri-State are open.
6:25 a.m.: Lines for voting in Kentucky are already wrapping around buildings.
My hubby is already out at one of the Boone County voting super centers... Ryle High School. He said it’s 3/4 around the exterior of the building. I’ll have updates on how long the wait is. @wcpo #cincywx pic.twitter.com/QEnl26lgjC
— Jennifer Ketchmark (@KetchmarkWCPO) November 3, 2020
6 a.m.: The polls in Indiana and Kentucky are open now. Find your Indiana polling location here and your Kentucky polling location here.