Electoral Vote Map and Other 2012 Presidential Election Resources

Election Day 2012 -- November 6 -- is near, and another presidential debate will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16.

So going beyond the rhetoric of President Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney, there are several Internet resources that you can use to follow the essential data.

For instance, take electoral votes -- the votes that really matter. In the 2000 election, Al Gore got more popular votes than George W. Bush. But Bush won because he earned Florida's electoral votes.

So check here for projected electoral votes; a candidate needs 271 electoral votes to win the election.

Also, for such resources as political ad spending and a candidate "match game" quiz, click here.

-- How do you plan to vote for president? Tell us in the comments below.