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US votes in crucial mid-term poll US votes in crucial mid-term poll
(30 minutes later)
US citizens are voting in fiercely fought mid-term elections that could define the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office.US citizens are voting in fiercely fought mid-term elections that could define the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office.
The whole House of Representatives and a third of Senate seats are up for re-election, with Democrats hoping to win control of at least the House.The whole House of Representatives and a third of Senate seats are up for re-election, with Democrats hoping to win control of at least the House.
The race for the Senate is seen as too close to call.The race for the Senate is seen as too close to call.
Glitches have been reported with electronic voting machines, forcing polling to be extended in some places.Glitches have been reported with electronic voting machines, forcing polling to be extended in some places.
The Democrats have focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans have stressed their own stance on security.The Democrats have focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans have stressed their own stance on security.
The polls are widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency.
President Bush, with his wife Laura alongside him, cast his vote early on Tuesday at a fire station in Crawford, near his Texas ranch.President Bush, with his wife Laura alongside him, cast his vote early on Tuesday at a fire station in Crawford, near his Texas ranch.
He urged voters, whatever their affiliation, to "do your duty cast your ballot and let your voice be heard". href="/1/hi/world/americas/6123314.stm" class="">Velcro president's final test href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6034543.stm" class="">Bush approval polltracker href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3973&edition=2&ttl=20060922160131" class="">Send us your comments He urged voters, whatever their affiliation, to "do your duty cast your ballot and let your voice be heard".
href="/1/hi/world/americas/6123314.stm" class="">Velcro president's final test href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6034543.stm" class="">Bush approval polltracker href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3973&edition=2&ttl=20060922160131" class="">Send us your comments Democratic former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, cast their votes in New York, where Mrs Clinton is expected to win a second term. Democratic former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, cast their votes in New York, where Mrs Clinton is expected to win a second term.
"Don't stay home. Please come out and vote because the future of our country, particularly this election does depend on it," she urged voters."Don't stay home. Please come out and vote because the future of our country, particularly this election does depend on it," she urged voters.
During a last-minute tour of ten states, Mr Bush warned on Monday that Democrats would raise taxes and be soft on terrorism. Correspondents report that anecdotal evidence from around the country suggests that large numbers of people have turned out to vote.
But Democrats say Republicans have blindly followed Mr Bush's "failed policy" on Iraq, and voters are turning their backs on them.
GlitchesGlitches
As voting got under way, there were reports of problems involving new electronic voting equipment in a number of states.As voting got under way, there were reports of problems involving new electronic voting equipment in a number of states.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being contestedRepublicans hold 229 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; four vacant seatsDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House SENATE: 100 seats - 33 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate Media sees gridlock ahead Glitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being contestedRepublicans hold 229 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; four vacant seatsDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House SENATE: 100 seats - 33 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate Media sees gridlock ahead Glitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.
Officials extended polling hours in Delaware County, Indiana, and in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, after voting was held up by computer problems.Officials extended polling hours in Delaware County, Indiana, and in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, after voting was held up by computer problems.
There were reports that districts in Tennessee and Colorado were also seeking to keep polling stations open longer.There were reports that districts in Tennessee and Colorado were also seeking to keep polling stations open longer.
Problems were also reported in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland, although experts said many of the difficulties were minor.Problems were also reported in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland, although experts said many of the difficulties were minor.
Electronic equipment was used for the first time in some placesThe new voting technology has been brought in to replace older systems, such as the punch-card machines which were at the centre of the Florida dispute during the 2000 presidential election. KEY SENATE RACES MissouriMontanaOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVirginiaNew Jersey The new voting technology has been brought in to replace older systems, such as the punch-card machines which were at the centre of the Florida dispute during the 2000 presidential election.
A clear-cut result would mean none of those difficulties would matter, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington, but if the result is too close to call there could be plenty of room for disputed recounts and litigation, he adds.A clear-cut result would mean none of those difficulties would matter, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington, but if the result is too close to call there could be plenty of room for disputed recounts and litigation, he adds.
'Referendum''Referendum'
Both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states to rally supporters to the polls, but turnout is not expected to be above 40%. Some 200 million people are eligible to vote in the elections.
KEY SENATE RACES MissouriMontanaOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVirginiaNew Jersey The polls are widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency. In the days before the vote, both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states to rally supporters to the polls.
Observers say that turnout could be higher than the 40% usually seen during mid-term elections.
WHEN KEY POLLS CLOSE (GMT) 0000: Virginia and Indiana*0030: Ohio0100: Tennessee, Pennsylvania*, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut0200: Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Colorado0300: Montana0400: California * States in which some precincts have extended voting hours Key races for the House Ballot propositions
The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the race has tightened in the last few days.The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the race has tightened in the last few days.
The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate.The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate.
Correspondents say that Democratic control of even one house of Congress could mean legislative gridlock.Correspondents say that Democratic control of even one house of Congress could mean legislative gridlock.
It would enable the Democrats to hold greater influence on Congressional committees, launch investigations into the war in Iraq, limit spending in Iraq and stall other Bush administration policies.It would enable the Democrats to hold greater influence on Congressional committees, launch investigations into the war in Iraq, limit spending in Iraq and stall other Bush administration policies.
WHEN KEY POLLS CLOSE (GMT) 0000: Virginia and Indiana*0030: Ohio0100: Tennessee, Pennsylvania*, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut0200: Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Colorado0300: Montana0400: California * States in which some precincts have extended voting hours href="/1/hi/world/americas/5243208.stm" class="">Key races for the House href="/1/hi/world/americas/6085404.stm" class="">Ballot propositions Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states. Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.
Analysts say some Republican candidates have kept their distance from Mr Bush, because of the president's low opinion poll ratings and the unpopularity of the Iraq war.
On Monday, 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.
Hundreds of thousands of voters cast their ballots before election day, 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.
The BBC News website will carry Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus analysis and full TV coverage.The BBC News website will carry Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus analysis and full TV coverage.