Over the decades, local residents have had reason to complain when the news networks called the presidential election before Hawaii's votes all were cast, much less counted.

Networks now normally wait until the polls close in a particular state before they pick a winner based on exit interviews and maybe results from a few bellwether counties. But with the notable exception of 2000, most presidential contests are over long before Hawaii's polls close at 6 p.m.

So how soon will we know tomorrow whether the winner is Barack Obama or John McCain?

Here's a short guide to key states in Hawaii time.

2 p.m. » Polls close in Virginia and Indiana. Virginia (13 electoral votes) is a traditionally Republican state that is now leaning toward Obama. If Obama prevails, it could be enough to tip the scales. Neither Virginia nor Indiana (11 votes) has supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964. In Indiana, Obama is hoping for heavy support around Gary, not far from his home city of Chicago.

2:30 p.m. » Polls close in Ohio, a large prize with 20 electoral votes. Ohio narrowly backed President Bush in 2004. Electoral math indicates Obama can win the election without it; McCain cannot, unless he takes neighboring Pennsylvania—a longshot.

3 p.m. » Polls close in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Florida and Missouri. Florida is the big prize, with 27 electoral votes. McCain has been campaigning in Pennsylvania (21) despite polls heavily favoring Obama.

3:30 p.m. » North Carolina closes. This is another traditionally GOP state that Obama put in play this year.

4 p.m. » Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Mexico close. The winner could well be clear by the time those results come in.