And Finally, the Election
November 6, 2012
Tens of millions of Americans go to the polls to decide whether President Barack Obama, a Democrat, should be reelected or replaced by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate. The very long, very costly, hard-fought campaign dealt largely with who could better heal the battered U.S. economy and the role of government in the lives of Americans. Polls show the race is neck and neck, though the president holds a slender lead in such crucial swing states as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Governor Mitt Romney

President Barack Obama
U.S. citizens are also voting on 11 state governorships, one-third of the seats in the 100-member U.S. Senate, and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. Political experts predict that Democrats will retain control of the Senate and Republicans will hold their majority in the House. Turnout is described as heavy, even in those areas of New Jersey and New York that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy one week ago.
Additional World Book articles:
- Joe Biden
- Electoral College
- Paul Ryan
- 2008 Elections: A Pivotal Choice (a special report)
- Tempest in a Tea Party (a special report)