Around 11:15 p.m. EST, most major television networks projected President Obama with enough electoral votes in order to win re-election. He was declared winner in various key states including Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada. Gov. Romney took North Carolina, which in 2008 went for Obama. The Electoral College requires 270 to attain the presidency; Obama is projected to have 303 to Romney to have 206 with Florida’s 29 electoral votes still to be determined.

Many political pundits and advisers such as former Bush Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, former lead strategist for Bill Clinton, stated the key factor in this close election rested with the demographics of the electorate. Data gathered from CNN exit polls based off of 26,565 respondents nationwide.

72 percent of the electorate are comprised of whites; 39 percent of whites voted for Obama, 59 percent Romney. African-Americans make up 13 percent of the electorate, and 93 percent voted for Obama, 6 percent Romney. The Hispanics/Latinos comprise 10 percent of overall electorate (the first time they have achieved double digits in a presidential election) and 71 percent voted for Obama, 27 percent for Romney. Asians make up 3 percent, 73 percent voted for Obama, 26 percent for Romney.

Gender played a significant role as well. With a majority of the electorate comprised of women, or about 53 percent; Obama won this group by 11 percentage points, 55 percent to Romney’s 44 percent. 52 percent of men voted for Romney.

The youth turnout, or the millennials, was higher by one percentage point from 2008; millennials comprised 19 percent of the electorate despite claims at the lack of enthusiasm among the 18-29 year olds. Obama won 60 percent of this vote down from 66 percent in 2008. 30-44 year olds, or 27 percent of the electorate, 52 percent voted for Obama, 45 percent for Romney. The largest age group was the 45-64 year old, the baby boomer generation comprised 38 percent of the electorate; 51 percent voted for Romney while 47 percent for Obama. 56 percent of 65 years or older voted for Romney.

Voter’s income showed a difference as well. According to the Census Bureau, the national median income is $50,054 as of September 2012. Those making $50,000 a year, making up about 41 percent of the electorate, 60 percent voted for Obama, 38 percent for Romney.

The demographics indicate some of the groups played a major role in deciding the election, especially in swing states like Ohio and Florida. As of 4:15 a.m. with 97 percent of precincts reporting in Florida, Obama leads Romney by a little over 46,000 votes out of 8.2 million votes. Georgia went to Romney; 53 percent to Obama’s 45 percent. As of 4:15 a.m. the overall popular vote – 57.8 million for Obama, 55.9 million for Romney.