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_2008/7707581.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
Long queues for historic US vote Long queues for historic US vote
(10 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 and Mr McCain voted in their respective home cities of Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona.Mr Obama and Mr McCain voted in their respective home cities of Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona.
A record total of 130 million Americans are expected to turn out. About 29 million have voted early.A record total of 130 million Americans are expected to turn out. About 29 million have voted early.
If that total is confirmed, turnout will be higher than in any election since 1960.If that total is confirmed, turnout will be higher than in any election since 1960.
Midnight voteMidnight vote
Mr Obama and his wife arrived at a polling station in Chicago with their two daughters.Mr Obama and his wife arrived at a polling station in Chicago with their two daughters.
KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES Too close to call: Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Montana, Missouri, North Dakota, Georgia, ArizonaSwing states now and in 2004: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida Guide to US election night KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES Too close to call: Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Montana, Missouri, North Dakota, Georgia, ArizonaSwing states now and in 2004: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida Guide to US election night class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7456953.stm">Battleground map
"When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterward."When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterward.
He later went to Indiana for one last campaign appearance.He later went to Indiana for one last campaign appearance.
After casting his ballot in Phoenix, Mr McCain ignored questions from journalists.After casting his ballot in Phoenix, Mr McCain ignored questions from journalists.
His running-mate Sarah Palin voted in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, and told reporters that she was hoping to wake up on Wednesday as vice-president elect.His running-mate Sarah Palin voted in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, and told reporters that she was hoping to wake up on Wednesday as vice-president elect.
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.
Sarah Palin hopes to wake up as vice-president elect John McCain and his wife cast their votes
She was speaking outside a polling station in Chappaqua, New York.She was speaking outside a polling station in Chappaqua, New York.
In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama won by 15 votes to six in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama won by 15 votes to six in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.
The hamlet, which has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote, opened its polls at midnight, with a 100% turnout.The hamlet, 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.
Democratic hopesDemocratic hopes
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.
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 votesQ&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 votesQ&A: how US results are reported
Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.
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.
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.
High costHigh cost
Under the US Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population.Under the US Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population.
Barack Obama voted in ChicagoBarack Obama voted in Chicago
In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.
To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.
BBC North America editor Justin Webb says there is much interest in three well-populated swing states - Florida and Ohio, both won narrowly by George Bush in 2004, and Pennsylvania, which went to the Democratic candidate John Kerry.BBC North America editor Justin Webb says there is much interest in three well-populated swing states - Florida and Ohio, both won narrowly by George Bush in 2004, and Pennsylvania, which went to the Democratic candidate John Kerry.
If Mr Obama can steal Florida or Ohio, he is sure to become president.If Mr Obama can steal Florida or Ohio, he is sure to become president.
if John McCain holds them and steal Pennsylvania, he could just win, our correspondent adds.if John McCain holds them and steal Pennsylvania, he could just win, our correspondent adds.
The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Centre for Responsive Politics.The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Centre for Responsive Politics.