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Historic US vote draws millions Historic US vote draws millions
(19 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.
Several key states are reporting a heavy turnout. A total of 130 million Americans are expected to vote.Several key states are reporting a heavy turnout. A total of 130 million Americans are expected to vote.
If that figure is confirmed, turnout will be higher than in any election since 1960. About 29 million have voted early. If that figure is confirmed, turnout will be higher than for any election since 1960. About 29 million have voted early.
In Virginia, a Republican stronghold which Mr Obama is hoping to capture, Secretary of State Jean Jensen told reporters: "It's a phenomenal turnout."In Virginia, a Republican stronghold which Mr Obama is hoping to capture, Secretary of State Jean Jensen told reporters: "It's a phenomenal turnout."
POLLS CLOSING FIRST 0000 GMT: Indiana, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont0030 GMT: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia0100 GMT: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee Guide to US election nightPOLLS CLOSING FIRST 0000 GMT: Indiana, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont0030 GMT: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia0100 GMT: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee Guide to US election night
Missouri, another battleground state, is reporting an "unprecedented turnout".Missouri, another battleground state, is reporting an "unprecedented turnout".
Officials in Ohio are expecting about 80% voter participation.Officials in Ohio are expecting about 80% voter participation.
In North Carolina, voting has been extended in two precincts.In North Carolina, voting has been extended in two precincts.
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.
"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.
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Voters queue in record numbersVoters queue in record numbers
After casting his ballot in Phoenix, Mr McCain ignored questions from journalists.After casting his ballot in Phoenix, Mr McCain ignored questions from journalists.
But at a later rally in Colorado, he said: "I feel the momentum... We are winning."But at a later rally in Colorado, he said: "I feel the momentum... We are winning."
"Get out there and vote. I need your help," he said, urging supporters to "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be."Get out there and vote. I need your help," he said, urging supporters to "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be.
Midnight votingMidnight voting
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.
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.
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.
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 votesELECTION 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
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 allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.Under the US Electoral College system, states are allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.
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 take Florida or Ohio, he is sure to become president, our correspondent says.If Mr Obama can take Florida or Ohio, he is sure to become president, our correspondent says.
If John McCain holds them and takes Pennsylvania, he could just win, our correspondent adds.If John McCain holds them and takes 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 Center for Responsive Politics.The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.
On the eve of the poll, 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 the eve of the poll, 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.