Patrick Kerkstra reports:

If the lines at Philadelphia polling places are absurdly long as the closing hour of 8 p.m. approaches, it's possible that a court could order extended voting hours, said Zack Stalberg, president of the Philadelphia election watchdog group Committee of 70.

But don't count on it. Get in line as early as possible.

"It would be very rare, if not unprecedented," Stalberg said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if someone asked for it."

Another possibility in the event of long evening lines is the distribution of emergency paper ballots, Stalberg said. He doesn't think either option is likely, but given the strong turnout it is conceivable. The decision would fall to the city's election court. If the court's decision was contested, Commonwealth Court would rule, Stalberg said.