Since the double ballot encourages people to split their vote, backing a small party for the Knesset and the Labour or Likud candidate for prime minister, both big parties lost votes to smaller ones in the 1996 election, and are likely to lose even more next time.

ECONOMIST: Israel

They split two meetings during the regular season, including a double-overtime thriller won by Manhattan at home on Feb. 14.

WSJ: Manhattan can't hold back Iona in MAAC title game

But according to the exit polls, Edwards and Kerry virtually split the black vote in that state -- both drawing roughly double the minority support of the Rev.

CNN: Exit polls: Economy a chief concern