The White House, the Senate, the tea party revolution in the House and 11 governorships are on the line Tuesday in a fantastically costly, relentlessly negative election that's being played out in unsettled economic times.

There is more at stake, though - such as the future of "Obamacare" and the fate of Medicare.

In this election, there's a campaign tab that's counted in the billions of dollars, voters have been polled to the point of rebelliousness, and a 4-year-old approached national hero status when she tearily protested the onslaught of campaign advertising.

Apart from the candidates, divided government is on the ballot after a two-year stretch that produced gridlock on many issues and record-low congressional approval ratings.