It’s been a long 24 months of campaign speeches, debates, Saturday Night Live skits and seemingly endless commercials, but the election is finally here.

The final two candidates competing for the Oval Office weren’t the names people thought would make it onto the ballot when we were just at the starting line of this marathon campaign. But they’ve toughed it out, and now look to become the 44th president of the United States of America.

Here’s what you need to know to be the smartest person in the room on Election Night.

Thanks to our founding fathers, we elect our president not directly, but through an electoral college, which grants states votes based roughly on their populations. To win the White House, the candidate must lock in a majority of the 538 electoral-college votes -- the magic 270 number. Two states waver from the winner-take all method: Maine and Nebraska split the votes, giving them to the winner of each Congressional district.

6:00 ET Kentucky, Indiana (with some polls in both states closing at 7:00)
Indiana hasn’t voted Democratic since JFK in 1960, and Bush easily took the state by close to 20 points four years ago, but many polls show the candidates neck-and-neck.

7:00 ET
Polls Close In: Vermont, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia

States to Watch: Indiana, Virginia and Vermont

Indiana is historically a "red" (Republican) state, and a loss for McCain could cause major problems.

Virginia hasn’t voted Democratic since 1964, but has been leaning leftward lately, electing Democratic Governor Tim Kaine and one Democratic senator.

7:30 ET
Polls Close In: West Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio
West Virginia is in the can for McCain and should be called not long after polls close.

States to Watch: Ohio and North Carolina.

Ohio has always been a presidential battleground, but many polls have Obama taking the 20-vote state, which would give him major ground against his opponent. According to FOX News/Rasmussen Reports, Ohio is one of the two states where McCain gained ground this week and the candidates are now tied at 49%. If McCain loses in Ohio, it will be hard for him to gather the votes to take the election.

North Carolina is also up for grabs, with McCain showing a slight lead in most polls. Although it went to Bush in 2004, the Obama campaign has flooded the Tar Heel state with money and volunteers. The race has remained tight, and McCain is up by a point for the second week in a row -- he now leads 50% to 49%.

8:00 ET
Polls Close In: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida (some polls closed at 7), Delaware and the District of Columbia

States to Watch: Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Florida

Pennsylvania is a major "blue" state, having voted Democratic in the last five elections, and both candidates have spent a lot of time and energy securing votes. If the McCain camp takes the state, it would be a huge upset for Obama’s team, but the Arizona senator faces an 11-point uphill battle there. If McCain loses the state, he will have to take almost every state Bush won in 2004.

Florida, oh Florida -- the state that left the nation hanging by a chad (we couldn’t resist) is once again a swing state with its 27 electoral votes. Both candidates have been campaigning feverishly in the state, but it’s a must-win for McCain if he wants to win the White House. Early in the race, the state was leaning solidly red, but the economic turmoil shifted the state toward blue. According to FOX News/Rasmussen Reports, McCain gained ground in Florida this week, after trailing by four a week ago. McCain now holds a one-point advantage, 50% to 49%.

Missouri, often dubbed the bellwether state, is an extremely tight race. The “Show Me State” has correctly voted for the presidential winner since 1904 (excluding a one-time blip in 1956). Latest election information from FOX News showed the candidates in a tie at 49%.

8:30 ET
Polls Close in: Arkansas
The state is safely Republican

9:00 ET
Polls Close In: New York, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Michigan (some polls close at 8), Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado Wyoming and Minnesota

If Obama hasn’t pocketed any red states at this point in the night, he will need to take Colorado and New Mexico to help

States to Watch: New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona

New Mexico went Republican in 2004, but a Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows Obama with 54% of the vote while McCain attracts 44%.

Colorado has voted Republican in every presidential election except two since 1952. But Obama has had a strong showing in the state and has even pulled ahead.

Even the polls in McCain’s home state are close. A recent Arizona State University survey shows 46% of registered voters in Arizona support McCain, while 44% favor Obama.

10:00
Polls Close In: Iowa, Montana, Utah and Nevada
States to Watch: Nevada, Iowa

With its seven electoral votes, Iowa has become a frequent spot for the candidates to stop and visit. Recent polls show Obama has widened his lead in the past month despite several recent visits by McCain and his running mate.

Nevada also went to Bush in 2004, but some polls show Obama is ahead in Nevada by 6.2%.

11:00
Polls Close In: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Hawaii

1:00 am
Alaska
No surprise here -- Alaska is home to Republican Vice President Candidate Sarah Palin, and having a home-turf candidate always helps in national elections.