Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern in Northern Virginia's SD-33. The stakes are huge in this special election here: this race will decide whether the state Senate is led by a Democratic or Republican majority (pending the
ongoing recount in SD-06). The candidates are Democrat Jennifer Wexton, Republican John Whitbeck, and former Republican Delegate turned independent Joe May.
Obama won this district 59-39 and our preliminary numbers say Terry McAuliffe won it 56-38. However, given the stakes and the unpredictable nature of special elections, Democrats can take nothing for granted here.
For hardcore special election fans, we also have a special in Rhode Island's HD-49, located in Woonsocket. Four Democrats are competing in the primary here: With no other candidates running, the victor will have no problem holding the seat in the uncontested February special.
For information about the candidates, closing times, and future elections, see our calendar here.
Results: SBOE (summary) | SBOE (by county) | VPAP (map) | VPAP (by county)
4:05 PM PT: Polls have closed in SD-33 and we're waiting for our first results.
4:22 PM PT:
First numbers of the night. 332 Coates - Wexton 147; Whitbeck 55; May 3.
— @BrianSchoeneman
4:23 PM PT: Blue Virginia has a great chart of precinct results from the 2013 Gubernatorial race. Should be very useful as results come in.
4:26 PM PT: Two precincts are reporting, one from each county. So far Wexton running even with or exceeding McAullife's performance, but way too early to conclude anything.
4:33 PM PT:
Excellent result for Wexton (D) in a second another big Fairfax precinct: wins the Frying Pan 71-24. McAuliffe had won it 66-27.
— @Taniel
4:35 PM PT: 8/51 precincts in and Wexton leads 56-37. Looking very good so far.
4:46 PM PT: SSP Labs (AKA JeffMD) tells us that Wexton's running about 2.5 behind McAulliffe, Whitbeck's about 1 behind Cuccinelli. Given that TMac carried this seat 56-38, she has a lot of room for error.
4:49 PM PT: 27 out of 51 precincts in, and Wexton leads 54-36.
4:52 PM PT: At this point in 2013 McAullife was up 57-38. Wexton at 54-36. Unless other half of district horrible for us, looking very good for a Wexton victory.
5:00 PM PT: Assuming things stay good here, all will rest on the recount in SD-06. The Democrats hold a nine vote lead going in, and we should see the new tally in the next few days.
5:04 PM PT: About 71 percent of precincts reporting, and Wexton up 53-37. Former GOP Delegate tuned independent Joe May at 10 percent.
5:08 PM PT: At this point in 2013 McAullife was up 56-39. Wexton at 53-37. Looking very, very good for Dems.
5:19 PM PT: 78 percent in and Wexton up 53-37. Game over.
5:35 PM PT: 46 out of 51 precincts in and Wexton still up 53-37. Game really over.
5:38 PM PT: We're still waiting for the remaining five precincts, but it's clear Wexton has won handily.
The action will turn back to Hampton Roads in the next few days for the SD-06 recount. Assuming Lynwood Lewis' nine vote lead holds up, Democrats will control the Virginia Senate. Check back to Daily Kos Elections for developments as recount unfolds. Have a good night and thanks for reading!