New York polls close at 9 p.m. EST, and projections were immediately made that the Empire State will lead for President Barack Obama for a second term.
New York has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1988 when the state voted for former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. The former governor lost the election however to George H.W. Bush. The state last voted Republican four years prior in 1984 when Ronald Reagan won in a landslide election for New York's then-36 Electoral College votes.
Now in 2012, New York's Electoral votes have decreased to 29.
The 29 Electoral votes were enough to give Obama a boost as early projection states went for Romney.
With 100 percent of the votes in, Obama won New York with almost the same lead as in 2008. Obama won New York with 62.7 percent to Romney's 35.9 percent, a difference of 26.8 percent, but four years ago, Obama received 62.9 percent to Arizona Senator John McCain's 36 percent, a difference of 26.9 percent.
Obama's margin of victory has been projected by polling data leading up to Election Day from SurveyUSA, Siena College, and Marist College, all showing a lead between 24 and 29 percent ahead of Romney.
Another landslide victory took place for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, winning her reelection and set to serve her first full six-year term.
Gillibrand succeeded Hillary Clinton in 2009 as the latter was appointed as Secretary of State for the Obama administration.
Gillibrand led polling figures leading up to Election Day but has even surpassed the projected numbers. SurveyUSA, Siena College, and Marist College had Gillibrand ahead from 42, 43, and 44 percent, respectively.
Gillibrand keeps her senate seat with 72 percent to opponent Wendy Long's 26.5 percent, a 45.5 percent difference, almost double ahead of her previous election victory when she defeated former Representative Joe DioGuardi with a 26.2 percent spread. Gillibrand won the special election with 62 percent to DioGuardi's 35.8 percent.
It is unclear how Hurricane Sandy may have affected turnout for Tuesday's election, as dozens of polling locations were lost due to the storm. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did issue an executive order for registered voters who live in the affected areas to vote in any location they want.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
