The choice of the Dems and the GOP will be much clearer after these totals are counted, which may take a bit:

California state officials received more than 3 million votes in absentee ballots by late Monday night, a figure that could account for up to 40% of the turnout.

The laborious process of counting such votes by hand could continue on for days, delaying the official declaration. Up to 25% of the absentee ballots will remain uncounted tonight.

If Romney wins in the Golden State, the campaign begins again.