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Voters set for historic US poll Voters set for historic US poll
(10 minutes later)
After the longest, most expensive election campaign in US history, voters are about to elect the 44th president.After the longest, most expensive election campaign in US history, voters are about to elect the 44th president.
Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have returned to their home states of Arizona and Illinois to vote and hold final rallies.Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have returned to their home states of Arizona and Illinois to vote and hold final rallies.
Mr Obama is holding a steady lead in final opinion polls and record numbers of voters are expected to turn out.Mr Obama is holding a steady lead in final opinion polls and record numbers of voters are expected to turn out.
In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama defeated his rival by 15 votes to six in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.In the first voting of the day, Mr Obama defeated his rival by 15 votes to six in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.
The town, which has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote, opened its polls at midnight, with turnout of 100%.The town, which has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote, opened its polls at midnight, with turnout of 100%.
George W Bush won there in 2004 on his way to re-election. Tuesday's vote was the first time the town had gone Democrat since 1968.George W Bush won there in 2004 on his way to re-election. Tuesday's vote was the first time the town had gone Democrat since 1968.
The moment when Barack Obama won the vote in Dixville Notch
Another small New Hampshire town with a tradition of polls opening at midnight, Hart's Location, has also gone for Mr Obama by 17 votes to 10.Another small New Hampshire town with a tradition of polls opening at midnight, Hart's Location, has also gone for Mr Obama by 17 votes to 10.
Most other polls on the east coast will open at 0600 EST (1100 GMT).Most other polls on the east coast will open at 0600 EST (1100 GMT).
McCain defiant
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.
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 viewsQ&A: how US results are reported
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.
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 viewsQ&A: how US results are reported
"I will never be able to repay you, except to say to you that I will never, ever let you down and I haven't and I won't... Let's go out and win this election and get our country going again.""I will never be able to repay you, except to say to you that I will never, ever let you down and I haven't and I won't... Let's go out and win this election and get our country going again."
At his final rally in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Mr Obama appeared before a crowd of 100,000 people.At his final rally in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Mr Obama appeared before a crowd of 100,000 people.
The man running to be the first African-American president of the US spoke of national unity just a few miles from the scene of the opening battle of the American Civil War.The man running to be the first African-American president of the US spoke of national unity just a few miles from the scene of the opening battle of the American Civil War.
Barack Obama on the death of his grandmother
At his speech in the Washington suburb of Manassas, Virginia, he told supporters that he had found the long journey to election day both humbling and enriching.At his speech in the Washington suburb of Manassas, Virginia, he told supporters that he had found the long journey to election day both humbling and enriching.
"You've filled me with new hope for our future and you've reminded me about what makes America so special.""You've filled me with new hope for our future and you've reminded me about what makes America so special."
Condolences
Earlier in the day, 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.Earlier in the day, 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".
John McCain tells supporters "we will win"John McCain tells supporters "we will win"
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.
Senator McCain and his wife Cindy issued a statement offering their deepest condolences to Mr Obama and his family.Senator McCain and his wife Cindy issued a statement offering their deepest condolences to Mr Obama and his family.
A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 53-42%.A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 53-42%.
Other national polls indicate Mr Obama's lead over his rival is holding steady at between five to 11 percentage points.Other national polls indicate Mr Obama's lead over his rival is holding steady at between five to 11 percentage 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.
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 fullIn pictures: US election countdownGuide 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 fullIn pictures: US election countdownGuide to US election night
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.
On Monday, an investigator for the Alaska Personnel Board cleared her of violating state ethics laws as governor of Alaska.On Monday, an investigator for the Alaska Personnel Board cleared her of violating state ethics laws as governor of Alaska.
A separate report released last month found that she did abuse her office by allowing her husband and staff to pressure Alaska's top law enforcement official to fire her former brother-in-law.A separate report released last month found that she did abuse her office by allowing her husband and staff to pressure Alaska's top law enforcement official to fire her former brother-in-law.
Mrs Palin sacked Walt Monegan, the state public safety commissioner, but denied it was because of his refusal to dismiss her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.Mrs Palin sacked Walt Monegan, the state public safety commissioner, but denied it was because of his refusal to dismiss her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.
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.
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 Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population, the biggest being California with 55 votes.Under the Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population, the biggest being California with 55 votes.
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.
A record 27 million people had already cast absentee or early ballots as of Saturday night.A record 27 million people had already cast absentee or early ballots as of Saturday night.