VIDEO: Arkansans react to Trump nearing 270 votes at GOP watch party

As Tuesday turned into Wednesday, around 25 people were still gathered around TVs bordering the Embassy Suites ballroom in west Little Rock as Donald Trump sat on the verge of the needed 270 electoral votes.

“I didn’t think it was possible,” said Jonathan Blaylock of North Little Rock.

He added he thought the pre-election polling was tilted in Hillary Clinton’s favor, but he was still surprised Trump seemed to be bound for the presidency.

More anti-Clinton than pro-Trump, Blaylock said was still hopeful about the New York businessman taking office.

The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Trump, giving him 264 electoral votes as of 1 a.m. Wednesday.

It wasn’t only Republicans in the ballroom, though. Paul Fraley, a member of what he called the nationalist movement, called a Trump victory “vindicating.”

“All it ever took was for one man to speak the truth and never apologize,” he said.

10:59 P.M. UPDATE:

The Democratic Party of Arkansas ended its watch party shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday, and before final results were announced in this year's contentious presidential race.

Vince Insalaco, chairman of the party, told attendees to leave around 10:45 p.m.

He cited time restraints on use of Next Level Events space in Little Rock that only allowed the event to last until about 10:30 p.m.

10:18 P.M. UPDATE:

In remarks to watch-party attendees shortly before 10 p.m., Arkansas’ Democratic Party chairman said he’s confident that Hillary Clinton will be president-elect by Wednesday morning.

“Those of us who have been involved in the process knew that it was going to be a long night,” Vince Insalaco said. “All of the national polls had it 3 to 4 points. That’s within the margin of error.”

“We’re going to wake up, and it’s going to be Madam President,” he added.

The comments come as a tight battle continues for the 270 electoral votes needed to win. As of around 10:15 p.m., Clinton had 197 while her Republican opponent, businessman Donald Trump, had 216.

At that time, Trump was also ahead in the popular vote — about 43.4 million compared to Clinton’s 41.3 million nationwide, The Associated Press reported.

Insalaco said that, having observed a number of elections and looked at polls during this election season, the results so far are not a complete surprise to him.

“I went through this in 2000. We’ve been through this before,” he said. “I was in Florida watching people, as were several people in this room.”

Insalaco’s speech to attendees also referenced a historic party shift in Arkansas, which once leaned more Democratic.

This year’s numbers so far, he said, were in opposition to Trump’s view that the election is “rigged.”

“Am I prepared for a Donald Trump presidency? No. Absolutely not,” Insalaco said. “But if he wins, we have to accept those results.”

As analysis of a potential Clinton loss appeared on CNN earlier in the night, Democratic watch party attendees became noticeably more quiet, focusing their attention on electoral-vote predictions.

"I don't want to be devastated. It’s going to be finger-biting," said Bright Woodward, 33, of Little Rock, clad in a patriotic ensemble — red pants, a blue shirt with white stars and blue jean vest with red and white stripes.

7:37 P.M. UPDATE: Arkansas polls close after brisk day of voting

Polls have closed in Arkansas, with the presidential race still too early to call.

Officials reported brisk turnout at the polls Tuesday as voters made their picks for president and Congress and weighed in on several ballot measures, including one that would legalize medical marijuana.

Elections officials say more than 600,000 voters cast ballots during Arkansas' two-week early voting period and predicted that about 70 percent of the state's 1.7 million registered voters would cast ballots during this election.

Although Hillary Clinton was Arkansas' first lady for 12 years when her husband was governor of the state, voters in the increasingly conservative state are expected to back Republican Donald Trump.

Voters were also deciding several ballot measures, including the medical marijuana issue and whether to allow the governor to retain his or her powers while traveling out of state.

Check back with Arkansas Online for updates on election night and read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

— The Associated Press

6:21 p.m. UPDATE: With hour until polls close, Arkansas voters say they're ready for campaign to end

With under an hour left before polls close, a steady stream of residents entered Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church on Tuesday evening with little to no wait time.

Some voters came dressed in scrubs, others voted with their families present and at least one donned a patriotic tie bearing the American flag.

Those leaving the polling site said they did not have much issues getting in and out in a timely fashion.

Light rain, which had fallen off and on earlier in the day, cleared out by Tuesday evening as voters headed to the polls for their last chance to cast their ballots.

Carl Hardwick, a 35-year-old supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump, said U.S. immigration policies have long been in need of changes believing that the businessman has the right approach.

“That’s one of the things I’ve been looking in presidential candidates. Period,” he said, referring to stricter border patrols and immigration policies.

Hardwick said he was disappointed that Issue 7, one of two proposals to legalize medical marijuana in the state, was struck down ahead of Tuesday.

While a proponent of medical marijuana, Hardwick said, Issue 6 lacked the appropriate wording and setup for him to voice his support.

“It had to do with the nonprofit-only dispensaries and how exactly that would work. Wasn’t made clear,” he said.

Hardwick, who had made his mind up at the start of the election season, said he’s happy to see the “relentless” presidential campaigning come to an end.

“It just seemed like it would never end,” he said.

Another voter, Ari Filip, echoed that sentiment, saying that the presidential race has been particularly polarizing.

“I feel like I’m beaten down with not just each individual’s campaigns, but with how decisive I’ve seen people on social media,” he said. “I feel like everyone is kinda walking on eggshells, and we’ve lost sight of a lot of the issues.”

He declined to specify which party he chose to align with in this year’s election.

“Neither candidate seems to be particularly popular for me, and I imagine a lot of other people,” he said, adding that he was crossing party lines this year with his presidential pick.

After voting, Filip said that he’ll likely follow the results Tuesday night at home and maybe go to the gym to take his mind off of the election.

Polls close statewide at 7:30 p.m.

Check back with Arkansas Online for updates on election night and read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

— Brandon Riddle

2:45 p.m. UPDATE: More than 600,000 vote early in Arkansas

Arkansas' Secretary of State's Office says more than 606,000 residents cast ballots during the state's two-week early voting period, and another 28,000 voted absentee.

Before voting began, election officials predicted that about 70 percent of the state's 1.7 million registered ballots would vote this election.

No major problems have been reported at polling places throughout Arkansas as voters decide the presidential contest, congressional seats and other races.

Voters will also decide four ballot issues, including whether to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas.

— The Associated Press

2:45 p.m. UPDATE: 2 Arkansas voters discuss medical marijuana vote

Polling shows Arkansas voters are narrowly divided over a proposal to allow patients suffering from a host of ailments to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries. A similar proposal lost by less than 30,000 votes out of 1.3 million cast four years ago.

In Little Rock, 29-year-old middle school teacher Megan McCain, 29, said Tuesday that she voted for the proposal after voting against the similar measure four years ago. McCain says she has family members with health issues and is curious whether medical marijuana would help them.

Also in Little Rock, property management rental assistant Cleo Porter voted against the plan. Porter said she's worried that it wouldn't be regulated enough.

— The Associated Press

10:45 a.m. UPDATE: Voters thankful election coming to end

Some voters casting ballots at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock were just thankful the long slog of the election year was finally ending.

Jane Green said she is not very politically active, but her partner is a “two-papers-a-day type of guy.”

“I'm so happy this is over,” Green said after casting her ballot for Hillary Clinton.

Another Clinton supporter, Ashli Ahrens, said there's been a lot of “rhetoric and ugliness” this year. Though she's glad to have voted, Ahrens said she is not optimistic about the aftermath of the election.

“I don't have a lot of hope for unification,” she said.

Voter Leonard Hollinger said when Tuesday ends, he'll mostly enjoy not watching an onslaught of updates about the campaign on TV. Hollinger, who supports Trump, said he made up his mind even before Clinton announced her candidacy.

“He's owing to nobody,” Hollinger said of the Republican nominee. “He's not of the political elite. That's what got us into the trouble we're in.”

Hollinger said Republicans Sen. John Boozman and Rep. French Hill also earned his vote because they did a good job during their first terms, plus “they keep their mouths shut,” he added.

Jon Haydon also supported Boozman on Tuesday, saying he has a solid record as a lawmaker thus far. Haydon, who voted for Clinton in the presidential race, described himself as a private person. His wife does not even know how he votes, he said.

“I have friends who stand on their soapboxes,” Haydon said. “That ends up turning me off to their point.”

Other voters seemed to welcome the chance to display their opinions. When asked about his views on a ballot initiative that would legalize medical marijuana, Michael Brown gestured to his T-shirt. Printed on the black fabric was a portrait of a pony-tailed Willie Nelson smoking a joint.

Brown said he's been in the Little Rock nightlife industry for years and voted for Democrats across the board. He said he's concerned about Trump's temperament and worried he would not stop himself from picking fights with other countries.

“He's gonna go, 'Alright, screw 'em,'” Brown said.

Arthur Wells, a third-year law student, smiled as he described casting his ballot as “voting for the engine of my destruction.”

Wells said he was open to the idea of a Trump presidency for awhile, but the man remains “a big question mark.” But he could not vote for Clinton because of the email and foundation scandals, he said.

The solution? Wells voted for Independent party candidate Gary Johnson, who falls in line with his opinions on small government and minimal use of force, he said. Wells said he is under no illusion that Johnson could win the national election, but choosing a candidate was a matter of personal beliefs.

“It was a complete waste of my time, I know,” he joked.

9 a.m. UPDATE: Voters in Little Rock split on Clinton, Trump

Voters in Little Rock's Heights neighborhood lined up at least a half hour before the doors opened at Fire Station No. 10. Some Arkansans, like Dr. Byron Wilkes, knew to get there sooner rather than later and still ended up toward the back of the line.

“I assumed I had to get an early start,” Wilkes said, adding that he thinks high voter turnout is a “good indication of where we're trying to go.”

Wilkes said he decided to vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton midway through the race, but he is splitting his ticket and voting for Republican Sen. John Boozman in the Congressional race. The senator has been a good steward to the state, he said.

“There's not really a party that defines how I vote,” Wilkes said. “It's really more candidate driven.”

Wilkes was not the only Arkansan who said the person, not the party, mattered more in determining who to vote for.

Bethany Meadows, a high school teacher, said she's voting for Clinton because of her commitment to education when she was the first lady of Arkansas, and she also prefers Clinton’s foreign policy.

But Meadows was also casting her ballot for Republican Rep. French Hill, who is running for re-election in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District seat. Meadows has met Hill several times and said she is impressed he is frequently in Arkansas.

“I see him at football games, at the grocery store,” Meadows said.

Hill's Democratic challenger, Dianne Curry, did not seem as familiar with local issues, Meadows added.

Some voters did decide to vote for one party up and down the ticket. Lester Scoggins, who is casting his ballot for Trump and Boozman, said “there isn't enough paper” to write down all the problems he's been thinking about this election season.

Scoggins said he does not hold strong opinions toward Clinton as a person, but he cannot vote for her as a candidate because she is a “proven liar.”

“If you don't have honesty, you have nothing,” he said.

Voter Dena Yancey feels differently. She said she got up early to cast a ballot for Clinton because it is “the first time I can vote for a woman for president. It's history.”

Yancey said she supported Clinton partly because she had honored her mother, who was one of the women on the Women's Emergency Committee that kept Arkansas schools open in the late 1950s.

Still, some voters were displeased with both options at the presidential level. Elizabeth Jackson said she's voting Republican for the presidential and Congressional races, but she's not pleased with either Clinton or Trump.

“I'm like a lot of people,” Jackson said. “I'm not impressed with either candidate, but he's the better choice for me.”

And one voter in line, Bill Sneed, still had not made up his mind on which presidential nominee would get his vote. Sneed, like Jackson, does not like either candidate, and said he will “see what moves me” when he walks into the voting booth.

“I'm glad it's over with,” Sneed said of the election cycle. “I'm sick of it to death.”

— Emma Pettit

8:18 a.m. UPDATE: Eldridge campaigns in Little Rock

Senate hopeful Conner Eldridge, flanked by his mother and young son, greeted voters on a street corner adjacent to a polling station in the Heights neighborhood of Little Rock. His son occasionally shouted, “Vote for Conner Eldridge!” as he slurped a smoothie and played with miniature cars on the sidewalk.

The former federal prosecutor said he “feels good” on election day, adding “we have a lot of momentum.”

“I think people are just tired of the bitterness in politics,” Eldridge said when asked how he feels about this campaign cycle. He said he's been thinking a lot about possible bipartisan issues like getting life sentences for child predators, which he hopes could have unified support if he wins.

The Democratic challenger added that he's been to all 75 Arkansas counties, some at least twice, during his bid to unseat Republican U.S. John Boozman. Eldridge said he plans on making stops at several polling locations in central Arkansas throughout the day.

— Emma Pettit

7:30 a.m. UPDATE: Polls open for Election Day

Polls are now open across the state for Arkansans to cast their ballots.

In addition to voting for president, citizens will also decide on several congressional races.

Incumbent Sen. John Boozman, a Republican, is facing off against former federal prosecutor Conner Eldridge for a spot in the U.S. Senate.

Republicans French Hill, Rick Crawford, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman are all vying for re-election to serve Arkansas’ four congressional districts in the House of Representatives.

Voters will also have a chance to decide on four state ballot initiatives.

Issue 1 would extend the term lengths of certain elected county offices. Issue 2 would allow Arkansas governors to keep their political authority when traveling out of the state.

Issue 3 would remove the limits on the amount of bonds Arkansas can issue a corporation, association, institution or individual to help financial development projects and services. And finally, Issue 6 would legalize medical marijuana in the state.

Election Day comes after more than 587,000 Arkansans cast ballots during the early voting period, a number that outpaced each of the previous two presidential elections.

This story will be updated throughout the day.

— Emma Pettit