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Warning over US election problems | Warning over US election problems |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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, 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 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 tax | Clashes on tax |
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. | |
Barack Obama blames "irresponsibility in Washington" for financial turmoil in the US | Barack Obama blames "irresponsibility in Washington" for financial turmoil in the US |
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. |
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. |
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". | |
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. |