While President Obama will watch election-night returns in Chicago and Mitt Romney will watch in Boston, there will be two official, and of course separate, Republican and Democratic events here in Washington. The Republican National Committee expects 2,000 people at its election-night party at the Reagan Building. There will be catered food, cash bars, country-and-Western and cover bands, table seating, and lots of television screens, according to a spokesperson. Party leaders are expected, and the event begins at 7.

The Democratic National Committee will host its principal event in Chicago, but here in Washington the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will host their election-night party at the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi are expected to attend. The party begins at 8.

While both events are invitation only, this is also the nation’s political capital, where someone always knows someone who knows someone who can score a party ticket.

If you happen to be traveling to Chicago, the Obama rally is scheduled for the McCormick Place convention center near Grant Park. For those going to Boston, the Romney rally is also in a huge venue: the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.