ONE HOUR TO GO - AT 7:03 P.M. ET:  Polls close in Massachusetts in a little less than an hour.  There was no exit polling so we'll have to wait for an actual count.  Already, there are charges flying of fraud, the first from Martha Coakley:

Martha Coakley’s campaign says there have been reports of “spoiled ballots” in five Bay State districts that threaten the “integrity” of the historic race to succeed Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

“We have seen a number of disturbing incidents this evening that have called into question the integrity of this election,” Coakley campaign manager Kevin Conroy said.

Coakley officials say they’ve received reports from five supporters that they received ballots already marked for Republican state Sen. Scott Brown.

“Those are spoiled ballots and they should not be counted,” Coakley campaign attorney Marc Elias said. “This is a serious issue.”

Elias added that the campaign has received more “anecdotal reports” of similar activity which is being investigated.

Well maybe, maybe not.  The key words in that story are "Marc Elias."  Marc Elias handled the legal fight for the Al Franken campaign in Minnesota, and there is still a feeling of bitterness in GOP circles that Republican Senator Norm Coleman, who was declared the loser, didn't get an honest count.  These early charges by Elias could well be the foundation for later challenges that could delay the seating of a senator for weeks or months, as happened in Minnesota.

January 19, 2010