8:28 PM: So far, the internals from the NJ exit polls show some good signs for Christie, particularly his running very strong among independents. But sources tell me the toplines of the exits are literally neck and neck. Less than a point separating the two.

8:40 PM: Okay, fine this is the NJ-Gov live blog. But keep a close eye on the Maine same sex marriage initiative down there at the bottom of our election scorecard. Only 2% of the votes in. But there are initial good signs for the “No” (pro-gay marriage side). As we reported earlier this afternoon, turnout was unexpectedly heavy.

8:42 PM: Starting to seem like New Jersey might keep us up late.

9:10 PM: We’re watching the NJ results very closely. The areas reporting thus far tilt Republican. So despite Christie’s clear margin, this one is still too close to call.

9:19 PM: Christie has a healthy lead over Corzine at the moment: 10 points with a third of the vote in. But our resident number cruncher, Eric Kleefeld, still says the areas already reporting are disproportionately GOP areas. It would seem it’s at least going to get a lot closer. Whether Corzine will close the gap, hard to say.

Nets calling NJ-Gov as too close to call. This squares with what I’ve been hearing through the afternoon: exits polls saying dead even. Another round of exits likely to come in soon. More shortly.

8:05 PM: Hotline has NJ exits with Indies breaking overwhelmingly for Christie and with some evidence that Daggett supporters broke for Christie. Not good for Corzine if that bears out.

8:09 PM: Remember New Jersey has a strong Dem party registration advantage. So Corzine can still win even while losing independents in a big way. But the big story of the night, thus far, especially in Virginia is Democrats and Obama voters just not showing up. So this is really going to come down to whether the Corzine campaign can turn out Dems in big numbers.