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US mid-terms at-a-glance: 7 November US mid-terms at-a-glance: 7 November
(about 3 hours later)
All you need to know on US mid-term election day, with news of key races, facts, quotes and pictures.All you need to know on US mid-term election day, with news of key races, facts, quotes and pictures.
For the latest at-a-glance update each day, bookmark this page.For the latest at-a-glance update each day, bookmark this page.
Election catch-up Key quotes Numbers of note Key races Headlines round-up Image of the dayElection catch-up Key quotes Numbers of note Key races Headlines round-up Image of the day
ELECTION CATCH-UP ELECTION CATCH-UP
Voters in East Coast states like New York and Connecticut were the first to cast their ballots when polls opened at 1100 GMT while people in Alaska will be the last to cast theirs with polling stations in the far West due to stay open until 0600 GMT on Wednesday. Problems have been reported with new electronic voting machines in Ohio and Florida - where the results of the past elections were disputed - as well as Indiana.
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 Key races for the House Ballot propositionsWHEN 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 Key races for the House Ballot propositions
Voters in East Coast states like New York and Connecticut were the first to cast their ballots when polls opened at 1100 GMT while people in Alaska will be the last to cast theirs with polling stations in the far West due to stay open until 0600 GMT on Wednesday.
Voting at his adoptive home in Crawford, Texas, President George W Bush appealed to all Americans "no matter what [their] party affiliation" to turn out for the election.Voting at his adoptive home in Crawford, Texas, President George W Bush appealed to all Americans "no matter what [their] party affiliation" to turn out for the election.
"Our government is only as good as the willingness of our people to participate in it," he said. He was due back in Washington later to await the results."Our government is only as good as the willingness of our people to participate in it," he said. He was due back in Washington later to await the results.
Vice-President Dick Cheney was to leave the White House for South Dakota to make his first hunting trip since he accidentally shot a companion last February while aiming at quail.
The campaign - the most expensive for mid-term elections in US history - ended on Monday in a flurry of advertising in key battlegrounds, door-to-door canvassing thousands of phone calls to voters.The campaign - the most expensive for mid-term elections in US history - ended on Monday in a flurry of advertising in key battlegrounds, door-to-door canvassing thousands of phone calls to voters.
Some opinion polls suggested the Democrats' strong national lead over Mr Bush's Republicans had narrowed slightly while others kept their lead in double figures.Some opinion polls suggested the Democrats' strong national lead over Mr Bush's Republicans had narrowed slightly while others kept their lead in double figures.
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KEY QUOTES KEY QUOTES
The conversations you have today, the extra few minutes you take to bring someone who might not otherwise vote with you to the polls, the follow-up with your friends, family and neighbors to make sure they have voted - all of it will multiply the power of your single voteHoward Dean, Democratic chairman, writing in an election day e-mail to party supportersThe conversations you have today, the extra few minutes you take to bring someone who might not otherwise vote with you to the polls, the follow-up with your friends, family and neighbors to make sure they have voted - all of it will multiply the power of your single voteHoward Dean, Democratic chairman, writing in an election day e-mail to party supporters
Laura and I urge you to vote Republican and to ask all your family and friends to go to the polls. The stakes are too high for you to stay at home President George W Bush, writing in election day e-mail to Republican supportersLaura and I urge you to vote Republican and to ask all your family and friends to go to the polls. The stakes are too high for you to stay at home President George W Bush, writing in election day e-mail to Republican supporters
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NUMBERS OF NOTE NUMBERS OF NOTE
Turnout may exceed previous mid-term elections, when it was about 40%, opinion polls suggest.Turnout may exceed previous mid-term elections, when it was about 40%, opinion polls suggest.
BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE Come back for full Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus expert comment and analysis 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 Results map Reporters' blog Have your say
It may go above 42% though is unlikely to match the 1970 record of 47%, USA Today reports, quoting an American University estimate.It may go above 42% though is unlikely to match the 1970 record of 47%, USA Today reports, quoting an American University estimate.
The National Association of Realtors (property sales agents) was the biggest donor in the race, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, giving 53% of its $2,675,755 cash pot to the Republicans and the other 47% to the Democrats.The National Association of Realtors (property sales agents) was the biggest donor in the race, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, giving 53% of its $2,675,755 cash pot to the Republicans and the other 47% to the Democrats.
Other donors in the top five include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ($2.18m) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association ($2.16m).Other donors in the top five include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ($2.18m) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association ($2.16m).
The justice department has sent a record 850 poll-watchers to 69 cities and counties to safeguard against fraud, discrimination or system malfunctions in tight races.The justice department has sent a record 850 poll-watchers to 69 cities and counties to safeguard against fraud, discrimination or system malfunctions in tight races.
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KEY RACES KEY RACES
Former Vice-President Al Gore was the last top Democrat to lend his campaigning weight to Ben Cardin, struggling to win a vital vacated Senate seat in Maryland against Republican challenger Michael Steele.Former Vice-President Al Gore was the last top Democrat to lend his campaigning weight to Ben Cardin, struggling to win a vital vacated Senate seat in Maryland against Republican challenger Michael Steele.
"They have brought in every heavy hitter they could think of... that says they know this seat is very much in play," said Steele spokesman Doug Heye after previous visits by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama."They have brought in every heavy hitter they could think of... that says they know this seat is very much in play," said Steele spokesman Doug Heye after previous visits by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Republican Senator George Allen was mobbed by reporters, supporters and protesters when he turned up at a subway station in Vienna, Virginia.Republican Senator George Allen was mobbed by reporters, supporters and protesters when he turned up at a subway station in Vienna, Virginia.
Democratic challenger Jim Webb rounded off his campaign with an appearance alongside Bill Clinton.Democratic challenger Jim Webb rounded off his campaign with an appearance alongside Bill Clinton.
HAVE YOUR SAY The Democrats do not have a specific plan on any issue from the economy to Iraq - their plan is just Bush-bashing Angelita, Rochester HIlls, MI Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The Democrats do not have a specific plan on any issue from the economy to Iraq - their plan is just Bush-bashing Angelita, Rochester HIlls, MI Send us your comments
Mr Clinton also turned up in Rhode Island to endorse Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse against Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee. Both candidates had spent the day canvassing in supermarkets and old people's homes.Mr Clinton also turned up in Rhode Island to endorse Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse against Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee. Both candidates had spent the day canvassing in supermarkets and old people's homes.
New Jersey's Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez, said he scented victory as Republican challenger Tom Kean Jr continued to suggest he was corrupt.New Jersey's Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez, said he scented victory as Republican challenger Tom Kean Jr continued to suggest he was corrupt.
"Too many people are giving up hope on the state of New Jersey," said Mr Kean. "That's not the New Jersey I grew up in.""Too many people are giving up hope on the state of New Jersey," said Mr Kean. "That's not the New Jersey I grew up in."
In Montana, Republican Senator Conrad Burns predicted a "very close election" as opinion polls showed him with an even chance against Democratic rival Jon Tester.In Montana, Republican Senator Conrad Burns predicted a "very close election" as opinion polls showed him with an even chance against Democratic rival Jon Tester.
For more, see our state-by-state map.For more, see our state-by-state map.
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HEADLINES ROUND-UP HEADLINES ROUND-UP
LA Times: Voters galvanized in a neck-and-neck nationLA Times: Voters galvanized in a neck-and-neck nation
Wall Street Journal: Fund Raising Vies With IncumbencyWall Street Journal: Fund Raising Vies With Incumbency
Chicago Tribune: "It's in their hands"Chicago Tribune: "It's in their hands"
For more commentary, see our mid-terms blog.For more commentary, see our mid-terms blog.
IMAGE OF THE DAY IMAGE OF THE DAY
George W Bush's motorcade rolls down a Texan country road on its way to the polling boothGeorge W Bush's motorcade rolls down a Texan country road on its way to the polling booth
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