Monica Malpass reports from Hillary Clinton's HQ in New York City

There is high energy in New York City as a swarm of media has descended for wall-to-wall coverage of election 2016.

Eighteen months of tough campaigning will come to a head Tuesday night.

Hillary Clinton will arrive Tuesday evening to watch the results from a secure suite.

It is a virtual-armed encampment at the Javitz Center.

NYPD with rifles and bomb-sniffing dogs are patrolling. Secret Service and Homeland Security have checkpoints at every corner. Officers are prepared to quickly quell any violence with the two candidates' strongholds just 17 blocks apart.

Thousands of journalists are in the media center with a satellite truck farm outside. Crews are adjusting the backdrop where Clinton operatives will give updates.

One aide says they're closely watching Pennsylvania, hoping to create a firewall.

"If we win Pennsylvania that's going to really cut off an avenue for Donald Trump," said Maya Harris, Hillary Clinton Senior Aide.

Clinton's held 278 rallies, like Independence Mall, spent $253 million on TV and visited 37 states - seeing voters is the payoff.

"Having just spent time in China where there's total apathy, it's really exciting to be here, and to be able to take part in the process," said Kevin Kavanaugh, NYC voter.

"There are more people online right now then voted in the entire previous election, which was a primary," said Rodney Fisk, NYC voter.

If Clinton shatters the symbolic glass ceiling tonight:

"You'll have three of the major countries led by women - England, Germany and the United States," said Nelson Diaz, attorney and former judge.

"I think that people can now say to their granddaughters, you could be president, too," said Sharmaine Matlock-Turner, Urban Affairs Coalition.