Today's Top Eight Voting Decisions

8.) Atlanta could elect its first white mayor in 35 years: City Councilwoman Mary Norwood is the front runner in the polls. Her closest competitors are Lisa Borders and Kasim Reed, both African-American. Outgoing mayor Shirley Franklin (D) has endorsed Lisa Borders in this non-partisan race.

7.) Governor's race in Virginia could be the first warning shot in a referendum against Obama: Obama carried Virginia last year, the first Democrat to do so in over 40 years, and the two previous governors have been Democrats. But Virginia has a long history of voting against the current White House resident's party when it comes to populating its Governor's Mansion. Republican front-runner Bob McDonnell currently has a double-digit lead in the polls.

6.) Governor's race in New Jersey could be a third-party-pooper: Gov. Jon Corzine (D) was behind Chris Christie (R) in the polls over the summer, but the emergence of Chris Daggett (I) now has Corzine and Christie in a dead heat. It appears the Independent is "stealing" votes from the Republican.

5.) Houston could elect its first openly-gay mayor: City Controller Annise Parker, who has been elected to various offices in Houston six times, is currently running even in the polls.

4.) Civil Unions on the ballot in Washington State: Earlier this year, what is called Washington's "everything but marriage" bill was signed into law and gave registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples. In a vote similar to Maine's, Washington will decide whether to overturn the legislation.

3.) Same-sex marriage on the ballot in Maine: Maine could be the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage if voters uphold legislation signed earlier this year.

2.) Maine also votes in medical marijuana legislation: I'm "double-dipping" in Maine today. What I wouldn't give to actually be there on the ground. Maine will be voting to expand the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana and it will also create state-licensed dispensaries.

1.) New York's 23rd Congressional District votes for a Democrat or a Conservative: After running the Republican candidate, DeDe Scozzafava, out of town for being "too liberal" these nearly-Canadians will most likely elect third party candidate Doug Hoffman (C). Scozzafava has since endorsed the Democratic candidate Bill Owens. For the first time since 1872 this district could send someone to the U.S. House who is NOT a Republican. The conservative paradigm shift within the GOP is exemplified in this turf war near the Canadian border, and could either galvanize the party to reorganize and reconcile, or further fracture the party into a moderate base and a far-right fringe. Hopefully, the far-right fringe will slide away to the third party Conservatives and lose the power base (and fund-raising abilities) of the GOP.

I will post the results for these elections/ballot initiatives as they come in. I am not a fan of exit polling, so I will not be posting updates throughout the day. However, for those of you who do want continuous status reports, you can always turn to www.cnn.com/POLITICS for updates and news throughout the day. Or, watch live news on your laptop at www.cnn.com/live. They will have an election special at 7:00 p.m. EST.