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US votes in crucial mid-term poll US votes in crucial mid-term poll
(20 minutes later)
Voting has begun in US mid-term elections that could determine the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office.Voting has begun 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 tough stance on security.Democrats are hoping to gain from the growing unpopularity of Mr Bush's Iraq policies while Republicans stress their party's tough 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 test Send us your commentsAll across the country people are saying 'I think it's time for a change' Barack ObamaDemocrat Senator, Illinois Velcro president's final test Send us your comments
"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'."
'Referendum' on Bush'Referendum' on Bush
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%.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%.
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. WHEN KEY POLLS CLOSE (GMT) 0000: Virginia and Indiana0030: Ohio0100: Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut0200: Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Colorado0300: Montana0400: California href="/1/hi/world/americas/5243208.stm" class="">Key races for the House href="/1/hi/world/americas/6085404.stm" class="">Ballot propositions 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.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being 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 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states. Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.
The polls are widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency.The polls are widely seen as a referendum on Mr Bush's presidency.
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.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.
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. New machines
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.On Monday, Mr Bush was snubbed by the Republican candidate for Florida governor, Charlie Crist.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being 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 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate
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.
Many Americans will be using electronic voting machines, brought in to replace older systems, such as punch-card machines at the centre of the Florida dispute during the 2000 presidential election.
However, many have questioned the effectiveness of the new devices.
Federal Election Commission Michael Toner said the US still had a long way to go with regard to the use of voting technology.
"We still do not in my view have the resources devoted to have the right type of equipment and there is real concern about the integrity of these electronic voting machines," he told the BBC.
Hundreds of thousands of voters cast their ballots before election day, taking advantage of an early voting system.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.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.