The world can change in 24 hours, and that’s what will happen to the world of one of the candidates in the 7th District congressional race.

Both candidates spent most of Monday shaking hands and visiting potential voters in the 8,768 square miles that make up the 7th District.

Democrat Terri Sewell was in Birmingham, going into cafes, delis and other neighborhood establishments, meeting and greeting people and shaking hands, ensuring people are going to the polls to vote today when the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Sewell said she spent some time in the campaign office, talking with staff and organizing.

“I’ve actually been making calls, encouraging people to vote,” she said from a cell phone on her way to meet others.

Sewell will vote early, about 8:30 a.m., before taking to the road to travel some of the district. She’ll arrive in Selma about 5:30 p.m., before hosting an election night watch party from 7:30 until 10 p.m. at the St. James Hotel, 1200 Water Ave., Selma.

Republican Don Chamberlain also expects to wind up in Selma to watch election returns after he canvasses the district Tuesday.

Chamberlain, who is battling an abscessed tooth, said he had spent much of Monday “running the ridges.”

He said he had politicked in Selma at the Downtowner Restaurant and made a courtesy call on Selma Mayor George Evans.

On Tuesday, Chamberlain will rise early and vote when the polling places open in Dallas County, then drive to Tuscaloosa for an early-morning television program.

Chamberlain said the rest of the day he’ll travel the district, making last-minute stops in Eutaw, Greensboro and Demopolis before coming back to his home base in Selma.

Chamberlain expects to arrive at the Tally-Ho about 7:30 p.m. to watch vote returns with supporters.

“I’m hoping we do well,” he said. “In 24 hours, we’ll know.”