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US set for key mid-term elections US votes in crucial mid-term poll
(40 minutes later)
US voters are set to vote in mid-term elections that could determine the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office. Polls have opened in US mid-term elections that could determine the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office.
Polls suggest Democrats could capture at least one of the Houses of Congress, although the race remains close.Polls suggest Democrats could capture at least one of the Houses of Congress, although the race remains close.
The whole lower House and a third of Senate seats are up for re-election.The whole lower House and a third of Senate seats are up for re-election.
Democrats are hoping to gain from the growing unpopularity of Mr Bush's Iraq policies while Republicans stress their party's stance on security.Democrats are hoping to gain from the growing unpopularity of Mr Bush's Iraq policies while Republicans stress their party's stance on security.
On Monday Mr Bush made a last-minute tour of three southern states, warning that Democrats would raise taxes and be soft on terrorism.On Monday Mr Bush made a last-minute tour of three southern states, warning that Democrats would raise taxes and be soft on terrorism.
Speaking in Arkansas, Mr Bush said his party would come from behind in the election.Speaking in Arkansas, Mr Bush said his party would come from behind in the election.
All across the country people are saying 'I think it's time for a change' Barack ObamaDemocrat Senator, Illinois Velcro president's final testAll across the country people are saying 'I think it's time for a change' Barack ObamaDemocrat Senator, Illinois Velcro president's final test
"Our principles are the principles of the majority of the people in this country," he told supporters."Our principles are the principles of the majority of the people in this country," he told supporters.
Democrats say Republicans have blindly followed Mr Bush's "failed policy" on Iraq, and voters are turning their backs on them.Democrats say Republicans have blindly followed Mr Bush's "failed policy" on Iraq, and voters are turning their backs on them.
"People are starting to look around," Illinois Senator Barack Obama said. "All across the country people are saying 'I think it's time for a change'.""People are starting to look around," Illinois Senator Barack Obama said. "All across the country people are saying 'I think it's time for a change'."
Early votingEarly voting
Both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states, but voter turnout is not expected to be above 40%.Both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states, but voter turnout is not expected to be above 40%.
BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE Come back for full Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus expert comment and analysis and full TV coverage Results map Reporters' blog Have your sayBBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE Come back for full Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus expert comment and analysis and full TV coverage Results map Reporters' blog Have your say
The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate, and 15 seats in the House of Representatives to have a majority there.The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate, and 15 seats in the House of Representatives to have a majority there.
The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency.The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency.
The BBC's James Coomerasamy in Washington says that if either house changes hands it will be new territory for the president, who has governed with a Republican majority for six years. The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says that if either house changes hands it will be new territory for the president, who has governed with a Republican majority for six years.
He would still drive foreign policy but with Congress holding the purse strings, the Democrats would be in a position to demand more oversight, our correspondent adds.He would still drive foreign policy but with Congress holding the purse strings, the Democrats would be in a position to demand more oversight, our correspondent adds.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all to be contestedRepublicans hold 230 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; three vacantDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of HouseCONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all to be contestedRepublicans hold 230 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; three vacantDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House
SENATE: 100 seats - 33 to be contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of SenateSENATE: 100 seats - 33 to be contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate
Analysts say some Republican candidates are keeping their distance from Mr Bush, because of the president's low opinion poll ratings and the unpopularity of the Iraq war.Analysts say some Republican candidates are keeping their distance from Mr Bush, because of the president's low opinion poll ratings and the unpopularity of the Iraq war.
During Monday's campaigning Mr Bush was snubbed by the Republican candidate for Florida governor, Charlie Crist.During Monday's campaigning Mr Bush was snubbed by the Republican candidate for Florida governor, Charlie Crist.
Mr Crist missed the president's rally in Pensacola and held his own in Palm Beach, hundreds of miles away.Mr Crist missed the president's rally in Pensacola and held his own in Palm Beach, hundreds of miles away.
Hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots, taking advantage of an early voting system.Hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots, taking advantage of an early voting system.
Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow in-person voting before election day in certain cases - either at a voting machine or by absentee ballot.Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow in-person voting before election day in certain cases - either at a voting machine or by absentee ballot.