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Americans vote in historic poll Americans vote in historic poll
(30 minutes later)
Voters across the United States are flocking to polling stations to choose a new president.Voters across the United States are flocking to polling stations to choose a new president.
Republican John McCain is attempting to defy the opinion polls while Democrat Barack Obama is seeking to become the country's first black president.Republican John McCain is attempting to defy the opinion polls while Democrat Barack Obama is seeking to become the country's first black president.
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, cast his ballot in Chicago. Mr McCain has gone to Arizona, his home state, to vote. Mr Obama and Mr McCain voted in their respective home cities of Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona.
Record numbers were expected to turn out, adding their ballots to the 29 million who have voted early.Record numbers were expected to turn out, adding their ballots to the 29 million who have voted early.
Some 130 million Americans are expected to vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says.Some 130 million Americans are expected to vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says.
In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama won by 15 votes to six in the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama won by 15 votes to six in the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.
ELECTION DAY ON THE BBC Join us to follow the news as America votes, including: Live text updates through the day and night, with input from BBC correspondents around the USResults as they come in, on a live updating map, from midnight GMTStreaming video of the BBC election night programme in WashingtonAnalysis from BBC North America editor Justin Webb in Washington, and Gavin Hewitt and Matthew Price at the candidates' HQs Send us your viewsIn pictures: America votes Q&A: how US results are reportedELECTION DAY ON THE BBC Join us to follow the news as America votes, including: Live text updates through the day and night, with input from BBC correspondents around the USResults as they come in, on a live updating map, from midnight GMTStreaming video of the BBC election night programme in WashingtonAnalysis from BBC North America editor Justin Webb in Washington, and Gavin Hewitt and Matthew Price at the candidates' HQs Send us your viewsIn pictures: America votes Q&A: how US results are reported
The town, which has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote, opened its polls at midnight, with a 100%turnout.The town, which has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote, opened its polls at midnight, with a 100%turnout.
It was the first time the town had voted for a Democrat since 1968.It was the first time the town had voted for a Democrat since 1968.
Senator Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, said on Tuesday that it would be "a big win" for the Illinois senator.Senator Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, said on Tuesday that it would be "a big win" for the Illinois senator.
She was speaking after casting her vote in Chappaqua, New York.She was speaking after casting her vote in Chappaqua, New York.
Mr McCain continued his campaigning into election day with an early morning stump speech in Prescott, Arizona.Mr McCain continued his campaigning into election day with an early morning stump speech in Prescott, Arizona.
He promised supporters that he and his running-mate Sarah Palin would "change things in Washington".He promised supporters that he and his running-mate Sarah Palin would "change things in Washington".
He said his momentum was growing and forecast an upset that would take him to the White House.He said his momentum was growing and forecast an upset that would take him to the White House.
"We are closing in the polls. All we got to do is get out the vote," he said at the end of a hectic day criss-crossing the country visiting seven crucial states."We are closing in the polls. All we got to do is get out the vote," he said at the end of a hectic day criss-crossing the country visiting seven crucial states.
EmotionalEmotional
There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.
Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.
Barack Obama voted in ChicagoBarack Obama voted in Chicago
They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.
On Monday, Mr Obama said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham - who largely raised him as a child - had died aged 86 in Hawaii after losing her battle with cancer.On Monday, Mr Obama said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham - who largely raised him as a child - had died aged 86 in Hawaii after losing her battle with cancer.
In a joint statement with his half-sister, he described her as "the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," adding that their debt to her was "beyond measure".In a joint statement with his half-sister, he described her as "the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," adding that their debt to her was "beyond measure".
At an event in North Carolina, Mr Obama appeared emotional as he spoke of his grandmother, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side.At an event in North Carolina, Mr Obama appeared emotional as he spoke of his grandmother, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side.
If victory goes to Obama, there will be a lot of tears and a lot of memories, some painful Campaign Trail: Gavin Hewitt Read Gavin's thoughts in fullBritish PM hails 'landmark' pollGuide to US election nightIf victory goes to Obama, there will be a lot of tears and a lot of memories, some painful Campaign Trail: Gavin Hewitt Read Gavin's thoughts in fullBritish PM hails 'landmark' pollGuide to US election night
The final Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll of the election published on Tuesday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 54-43%.The final Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll of the election published on Tuesday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 54-43%.
Other national polls indicate Mr Obama increasing his lead over his rival to as much as 13 points.Other national polls indicate Mr Obama increasing his lead over his rival to as much as 13 points.
But the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says that while Mr Obama has held a consistent lead for several weeks, a number of factors could undermine the pollsters' predictions.But the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says that while Mr Obama has held a consistent lead for several weeks, a number of factors could undermine the pollsters' predictions.
Among them, he says, are the role the Illinois senator's skin colour may play in voters' intentions; whether newly registered voters will actually vote; and the Palin effect - whether Mr McCain's running mate has energised or alienated Republicans.Among them, he says, are the role the Illinois senator's skin colour may play in voters' intentions; whether newly registered voters will actually vote; and the Palin effect - whether Mr McCain's running mate has energised or alienated Republicans.
Battleground statesBattleground states
On Monday, both candidates dashed through states where the vote is expected to be close.On Monday, both candidates dashed through states where the vote is expected to be close.
Opinion polls indicate that Mr Obama leads the vote in all the states that Senator John Kerry captured in his unsuccessful run against President Bush in 2004.Opinion polls indicate that Mr Obama leads the vote in all the states that Senator John Kerry captured in his unsuccessful run against President Bush in 2004.
John McCain tells supporters "we will win"John McCain tells supporters "we will win"
That would give him 251 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.That would give him 251 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.
He is leading or tied with Mr McCain in several other states, meaning he has several paths to victory.He is leading or tied with Mr McCain in several other states, meaning he has several paths to victory.
For this reason the results in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Ohio are expected to be crucial to the outcome.For this reason the results in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Ohio are expected to be crucial to the outcome.
Under the US Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population. The winner in each state gets all its college votes.Under the US Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population. The winner in each state gets all its college votes.