This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7683677.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Warning over US election problems Warning over US election problems
(about 3 hours later)
A "perfect storm" could be brewing with record numbers set to vote in the US elections and many states using new voting machines, researchers warn. Researchers are warning of potential problems during the US election with record numbers set to vote and many states using new voting machines.
Long queues are likely at polling stations on 4 November, Pew researchers say, and both parties are hiring lawyers in anticipation of challenges.Long queues are likely at polling stations on 4 November, Pew researchers say, and both parties are hiring lawyers in anticipation of challenges.
Voters have already had long waits in some states where early voting is under way such as North Carolina and Florida. Voters have already had long waits in some states where early voting is under way, like North Carolina and Florida.
It comes despite efforts to improve the system after problems in 2000 and 2004.It comes despite efforts to improve the system after problems in 2000 and 2004.
The 2008 election "has the potential to combine a record turnout with an insufficient number of poll workers and a voting system still in flux", the report by the non-partisan Pew group says. The 2008 election "has the potential to combine a record turnout with an insufficient number of poll workers and a voting system still in flux," the report by the non-partisan Pew group says.
The biggest hurdle facing election workers may be the new voters registering in record numbers in almost every state, the report says.
Millions of new voters have registered across the US in the run-up to the vote
For example, officials in Virginia recently ordered 200,000 extra voter registration forms.
And although many states are encouraging people to cast their ballot early or send it in by post, there is still a danger of big queues on election day and insufficient numbers of poll workers to handle the influx, the report warns.
Election officials in Virginia have said they will step up polling station security amid concerns that arguments over long queues, voter registration and identity issues could become heated.
Analysts suggest that early voting in a number of key states is favouring Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.Analysts suggest that early voting in a number of key states is favouring Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
In North Carolina, some 214,000 people cast their ballot on the first two days of early voting, with registered Democrats making up 62% of the number compared with 22% registered Republicans.In North Carolina, some 214,000 people cast their ballot on the first two days of early voting, with registered Democrats making up 62% of the number compared with 22% registered Republicans.
Meanwhile, a new opinion poll by the Pew Research Center suggests Mr Obama has increased his national lead over rival John McCain in the past month to 14 points, with 52% to his 38%.
The latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll gives Mr Obama the same lead over Mr McCain, up from a six-point margin in the same poll two weeks ago.
Testing times
Mr Obama and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, are to meet his campaign's national security advisers in Virginia on Wednesday.
After the discussion, Mr Obama is expected to give a public briefing on how his foreign policy plans compare to those of his rival.
McCain continues to talk about Obama 'spreading the wealth', which I understand as a political tactic might be effective Campaign Trail: Matthew Price
It comes a day after Mr McCain questioned his rival's readiness for the White House, as he campaigned in Pennsylvania.
"We don't want a president who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars," Mr McCain said.
Mr McCain was expected to return on Wednesday to New Hampshire, a state he won in the Republican primaries but which opinion polls suggest is leaning towards his rival.
Mr Obama will also hold rallies in Richmond and Leesburg, Virginia, on Wednesday in which he will focus on the economy.
He will campaign in Indiana - another traditionally Republican-leaning state where he is doing well in the polls - on Thursday, before taking a two-day break to visit his sick grandmother in Hawaii.
Clashes on taxClashes on tax
Mr Obama is to campaign in Virginia and Indiana - two traditionally Republican-leaning states where he is doing well in the polls - on Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, the second day of a swing through Florida, Mr Obama accused Mr McCain of making "stuff" up in the last weeks of the campaign.
At a rally on Tuesday, Mr Obama accused his Republican rival, John McCain, of making "stuff" up in the last weeks of the campaign.
Barack Obama blames "irresponsibility in Washington" for financial turmoil in the USBarack Obama blames "irresponsibility in Washington" for financial turmoil in the US
He denied Republican claims that he had attacked "Joe the plumber" - an Ohio voter who sparked a tax debate.
"I have got nothing but love for Joe the plumber, that's why I want to give him a tax cut. John McCain is still out there, just saying this stuff, just making it up," he said.
Earlier, Mr Obama met the governors of Ohio, Michigan, New Mexico and Colorado in Lake Worth, Florida, to discuss jobs and the economy with business leaders and financial experts.Earlier, Mr Obama met the governors of Ohio, Michigan, New Mexico and Colorado in Lake Worth, Florida, to discuss jobs and the economy with business leaders and financial experts.
All four states have Democratic governors and all, except Michigan, voted for President George W Bush in 2004.
Mr Obama is to take a two-day break from campaigning at the end of the week to visit his sick grandmother in Hawaii.
Palin apology
On the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, where Mr Obama has the lead in opinion polls, Mr McCain said his rival's economic plan would result in raised taxes.On the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, where Mr Obama has the lead in opinion polls, Mr McCain said his rival's economic plan would result in raised taxes.
John McCain vows to "get tough" on those who caused the economic crisis Meanwhile, his running mate Sarah Palin apologised for any misunderstanding over comments last week on the patriotic values of "the real America" and "pro-America areas of this great nation".
He also questioned his rival's readiness for the White House.
"We don't want a president who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars."
Meanwhile, his running mate Sarah Palin has apologised for any misunderstanding over comments last week on the patriotic values of "the real America" and "pro-America areas of this great nation".
Mrs Palin denied that was her intention to imply that some parts of the country were more patriotic than others.Mrs Palin denied that was her intention to imply that some parts of the country were more patriotic than others.
"I don't want that misunderstood. If that's the way it came across, I apologise," she told CNN."I don't want that misunderstood. If that's the way it came across, I apologise," she told CNN.
Opinion polls suggest voters have more confidence in Mr Obama than Mr McCain to handle the economy.