What to look for in N.C.

Welcome to Primary Day. Be good. Vote.

We'll be joining you in this space just before the polls close at 7:30 p.m., and we'll take you through all the news and races - state and national - on election night.

The biggest race, of course, is the one for the Democratic nomination. What should you look for as the N.C. exit polls - and the results - come in tonight? Here are the numbers that matter:

The White Vote for Clinton, 65 percent: The Clinton campaign has focused its campaigning largely on the white, blue-collar vote in North Carolina. Hillary Clinton has spent most of her time away from the big cities here, and husband Bill has toured dozens of rural N.C. towns and smaller cities. If the exit polls show Hillary Clinton winning more than 65 percent of the white vote, that'll mean those small-town voters have turned out for her. Without that number, she likely won't win.

The African-American turnout, 35 percent: The big question among pollsters this week is how many blacks will vote in North Carolina. In 2004, 32 percent of N.C. voters were black. In early voting this year, the total was just more than 40 percent. The latter total is likely due to Obama's significant get-out-the-vote efforts, but if Obama can approach that number today - say, a 35 percent black turnout - his win will be more than five points. If the turnout is less than 30 percent, Clinton will be celebrating.

The Meck Vote, 200K: You'll likely be reading about busy precincts and record turnout in Mecklenburg County today. The more voters that show, the better the news for Obama. Mecklenburg offers his best demographics - young voters, black voters, better-educated voters. If the Democratic primary vote approaches 200,000 here, that's good news for him.

And finally, one more thing to think about, for us: We want to know what you see at the polls today - not only what might be wrong, but what is right. You're likely tired of hearing about this being an historic election year. Well, it is. Voters are turning out in record numbers, and now it's our turn. Enjoy it. Look around. Tell us what you see. Tell us your story.

Your Morning Buzz:

On the last day of campaigning, candidates and their spouses criss-crossed the state to make final pleas to voters - writes a team of McClatchy reporters.

The Times Adam Nagourney offers a thorough breakdown on what victories - or losses - in N.C. and Indiana would mean for the candidates.

Both candidates did their best to be just regular (Ivy League/wealthy/powerful) folk, writes Eli Saslow of the Washington Post.

The Washington Post's Dan Blaz has eight questions - big picture and small - to consider while you wait for the results.

Indiana is excited about mattering, too.

The candidates retooled their message on trade for N.C. and Indiana, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Two thoughtful writers, the Chicago Tribune's Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn, debate when to end the race.

And finally, in case you were wondering, John and Elizabeth Edwards decided not to endorse.