On Tuesday, November 6, Barack Obama was reelected President. Early Wednesday morning, Obama spoke to supporters in Chicago, Illinois, and across the country. "Tonight, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up. We have fought our way back," he said. "We know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come."
Minutes earlier, in Boston, Massachusetts, Republican candidate Mitt Romney had given a short concession speech. "I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction," he told his supporters.
It was a close, hard-fought race. Obama got 60,079,602 votes, for 50% of the total count. Romney received 57,398,474, for 48%. But Obama scored big in the electoral-vote tally. To declare victory, Obama needed 270 out of 538 electoral votes. As of November 8, he had 303 electoral votes. Romney had 206 electoral votes.
Winning Swing States
In those states where people mostly voted Democratic or Republican in the past, it is possible to predict which candidate will win the state's electoral votes. But in "swing" states, the outcome is not clear. Voters can swing, or turn, toward either candidate.
During the campaign, both Obama and Romney spent a great deal of time and money trying to win over voters in swing states. The candidates visited often. They gave speeches. They ran ads.
Ohio is one state that both men wanted to win. But late on election night, Ohio's 18 electoral votes went to Obama. To Romney supporters, it was a sign that a Republican win would not happen.
What's Next?
President Obama faces tough challenges. New reports show that the number of Americans who are out of work has dropped slightly. But more than 12 million people remain jobless.
In his victory speech, President Obama promised he would continue to help all Americans. "Despite all the hardship we've been through," he said, "I have never been more hopeful about America."
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