3:09 A.M. ET:  IT IS OVER.  DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.  THE END CAME WHEN HILLARY CLINTON GRACIOUSLY CALLED TRUMP TO CONCEDE THE ELECTION.  TRUMP HAS JUST SPOKEN TO HIS SUPPORTERS AT HIS NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS, DELIVERING A FINE, ELEGANT SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE.

IT IS HARD TO EXAGGERATE THE IMPORTANC OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED.  THIS IS A POLITICAL REVOLUTION, ENTIRELY UNEXPECTED BY THE PUNDITOCRACY. 

I'M SIGNING OFF.  MORE IN THE MORNING.

12:56 A.M. ET:  We reported earlier that Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania appeared to be in trouble in the vote count.  Some good news:  With 96% of the vote in, Toomey is leading his opponent, Katie McGinty, 49-47%.  We hope it continues.  Dems have picked up only one seat in the Senate so far. 

No news on the presidential race.  We may not know the outcome tonight.   Many commentators are talking as if Trump has won, but I'll believe it when I see the number 270 next to his name.  Not a second before.

12:32 A.M. ET:  Fox has called Nevada for Clinton, and Clinton has just moved ahead in New Hampshire.  Again, I caution readers:  This is not over.  The folks at Fox, who have Trump at 254 electoral votes, 16 shy of victory, are the most aggressive in suggesting that he will win.  Other networks have Trump in the 240s.  Hillary Clinton can still win some major states and pull a come-from-behind victory.  So we'll wait before making grand declarations.

EXPLANATION:  Our 11:37 note, just below, is based on Fox projections.  Indeed, Fox has just increased Trump's projected electoral vote total to 254, with Clinton at 209.  Please be aware that CNN is much more conservative in its projections, projecting Trump at 216.  Both networks have Clinton at 209.

BULLETIN – AT 11:37 P.M. ET:  Fox News projects that Trump wins Wisconsin and Iowa, bringing his electoral vote to 238.  He is 32 electoral votes away from the presidency, but it's a big 32 votes.  Pennsylvania and Michigan are still undecided.  She is at 209 electoral votes.  If she wins both those states, she'll have 245 electoral votes.  It is not over.

11:28 P.M. ET:  We want to stress to readers that this race is far from over.  Hillary Clinton has just tied the vote count in Michigan.  The Trump people are justifiably pumped (or trumped), but anything can still happen.  The key point is that Trump is standing, with some realistic routes to 270 electoral votes, something most observers had not expected at this hour.  But Clinton is also standing, and also has some routes open. 

Republicans have, thus far, done well in defending Senate seats.  However, Pat Toomey is in serious trouble in the Pennsylvania count.  I'd hate to see him lose, but it may well happen.  Stand by.

BULLETIN – AT 11:03 P.M. ET:  Trump wins Florida!!  He now has a path to the presidency, but it is not guaranteed.  Fox is reporting that the Clinton people now expect a "long" night.   Ya think? 

BULLETIN – AT 10:52 P.M. ET:  Trump wins North Carolina.  There is a sense of shock among many journalists.  Is it possible that Trump will go all the way?

Florida still has not been called, but Trump is leading.  If he can hold Florida, he has a real shot at the presidency, but even then it will  not be certain.  Remember to call in sick tomorrow.

BULLETIN – AT 10:28 P.M. ET:  Trump wins Ohio.  Clinton wins Colorado.   The race is far from over, but neither presidential candidate has been knocked out.  Incredible contest.

Florida has still not been called.  If Trump wins, he's still in it, big time.  If he loses Florida, his dream dims.  Stand by.  Stay up.  Call in sick tomorrow.

10:14 P.M. ET:  Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina has won his close race for re-election, depriving the Dems of one more hoped-for pickup.  The Democrats have won only a single Senate pickup thus far tonight, but will probably win several more. 

Virginia has been called for Hillary Clinton, which was expected.  But she won by a far more narrow margin than predicted.  The presidency is still open.  So is control of the Senate. 

9:24 P.M. ET:  Incredible.  Not one swing state has been called.  And even Virginia is in play.  You're watching the same coverage I am, and we're preparing for a late night.  And Dems have still picked up only one Senate seat.  The GOP majority in the House is safe.  I wish I had more to say, but I don't.

8:32 P.M. ET:  Everyone is looking at Florida, which is very tight.  Trump is slightly ahead, and Clinton is slightly ahead in North Carolina.  But neither state can be called.  Just as important, Marco Rubio has been re-elected to the Senate from Florida, depriving Democrats of a hoped-for pickup.  And in Indiana, former Democratic Senator and Governor Evan Bayh was defeated by Republican Todd Young, allowing the GOP to keep the seat being vacated by Dan Coates.  Republicans lost the Illinois Senator seat held by Mark Kirk.  So far that is the only Senate gain for the Dems, but they're likely to have more tonight.

THE VERDICT:  It's 7:43 p.m. ET, we are watching the early returns, and have very little to say.  Much to soon to make grand predictions.  We congratulate Rob Portman for his re-election to the Senate from Ohio.  His decisive victory puts him on the list of potential presidential candidates.  The polls close in 17 minutes in 16 states, including Florida and Pennsylvania.  Stand by.

November 8, 2016