NBC put out a release this morning announcing MSNBC.com’s election night plans…

On Election Day, MSNBC.com will have unmatched comprehensive coverage, including live streaming video, real-time results, live blogging, maps and a special look at post-Katrina elections in the Gulf Coast. In the first major election since Hurricane Katrina, MSNBC.com extends its award-winning Rising From Ruin series (www.risingfromruin.msnbc.com) and examines the election process in an area where many residents have yet to return and traditional polling places no longer exist. An interview with popular Bay St. Louis, Miss. Democratic Congressman Gene Taylor, follows him on the campaign trail and discusses issues facing the citizens in his community, including the struggle of rebuilding after the storm. In addition, the coverage examines what issues really are important to Gulf Coast residents and profiles Waveland, Miss., where real changes are possible as the mayor and all five city council members are up for reelection.

“Our election coverage reflects the nature and scope of this incredible national story. This is a story that is being played out on the Web in ways it never has before, and we’ve created a place for that community,” said Jennifer Sizemore, editor in chief of MSNBC.com. “From real-time local results to analysis of the national trends, we’ll be delivering the whole story in live video streams, stories, discussion boards, polls, maps, and special live coverage from the Mississippi towns where we’ve spent the past year chronicling the recovery from Katrina.”

The Democracy Dashboard, linked off a dynamically refreshing results panel on the MSNBC.com cover page, delivers a full spectrum of real-time results, including a map with state-by-state results, and returns on Senate, House and gubernatorial races, organized down to the county level. In addition, users can find balance-of-power graphics for the House and Senate and instant-message style tips to alert them to developing stories. A downloadable “widget” from www.politics.msnbc.com delivers updated political stories right to user’s desktops in a special “politics today” window. Message boards will enable users to share their opinions and analysis and audio slideshows featuring “voters’ voices” will keep users in touch with grassroots sentiments.

Contributors to NBC News’ political blog, First Read, will blog live through Election Day, tracking developments and the untold stories across the nation. Politics.msnbc.com will also include extensive analysis and coverage from The National Journal, Hotline, Washington Post, Newsweek and the MSNBC.com politics team. MSNBC.com’s Tom Curry will report from NBC’s central election desk on the latest results.