It's not Las Vegas, and it's definitely not a scientific poll, but Campaigns & Elections magazine's "political oddsmaker" has correctly picked the winner in 98 percent of races since 1996.

Editor and handicapper Ron Faucheux predicts a Republican sweep in these parts.

His odds:

Gov. Bob Taft favored over Tim Hagan, 5 to 3.

1st Congressional District: Rep. Steve Chabot over Greg Harris, 50 to 1.

2nd Congressional District: Rep. Rob Portman over Charles W. Sanders, 4 to 1.

3rd Congressional District: (Open seat) Mike Turner over Rick Carne, 30 to 29.

8th Congressional District: John A. Boehner over Jeff Hardenbrook, 5 to 1.

Control of U.S. House of Representatives: Republicans over Democrats, 12 to 11.

Control of U.S. Senate: Democrats over Republicans, 9 to 8.

And in an early look at the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush is favored to win re-election, 3 to 2.

Where they'll be partying

Party time!

The Republican statewide candidates will gather in Columbus Tuesday night for what is being billed as an "Election Night Victory Celebration" at the Hyatt Regency.

The Republican candidates are leading in all the polls.

The races to watch: Republican Treasurer Joe Deters versus Democrat Mary Boyle, and Supreme Court Justice Evelyn L. Stratton (Republican) versus Janet Burnside (Democrat).

Most of the Democrats on Tuesday will be at the Sheraton in Cleveland, which reflects the hometowns of gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan and most office-seekers.

Tim Black, the Hamilton County Municipal Court judge backed by Democrats, will stay in Cincinnati. He'll join other local Democrats at Crowley's Pub in Mount Adams.

Ohio Poll to take a chance

The Ohio Poll will go out on a limb and predict the winners of this year's elections when it releases its final survey results tonight.

Pollsters are reluctant to project winners; they stress that survey results are snapshots of where the electorate is at a given point in time.

The Ohio Poll, run out of the University of Cincinnati, will project who it thinks will win each of the statewide offices.

It hasn't been polling on the state Issue 1.

Where to vote

Some reminders about Election Day voting in Ohio:

Polls are open Tuesday 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

If you're not sure where to vote, or have any other question related to casting a ballot, contact your board of elections.

Board of elections phone numbers:

Butler County: 887-3700

Clermont County: 732-7275

Hamilton County: 632-7000

Warren County: 695-1358