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Early honours even in US election Early honours even in US election
(10 minutes later)
The first polls have closed and first projected results are in, as a ground-breaking US presidential election nears its climax.The first polls have closed and first projected results are in, as a ground-breaking US presidential election nears its climax.
As expected, Kentucky fell to John McCain and Vermont to Barack Obama.As expected, Kentucky fell to John McCain and Vermont to Barack Obama.
Voters have been turning out in huge numbers. Mr McCain has vowed to defy opinion polls suggesting Mr Obama will be the first black US president.Voters have been turning out in huge numbers. Mr McCain has vowed to defy opinion polls suggesting Mr Obama will be the first black US president.
Experts have their eyes on Virginia and Indiana, saying if they go for Mr Obama, he could be heading for victory.Experts have their eyes on Virginia and Indiana, saying if they go for Mr Obama, he could be heading for victory.
They are among six states where polls were due to close at 0000 GMT. The others are Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vermont. They are among six states where polls were due to close at 0000 GMT. The others are Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vermont. Three others closed at 0030 GMT.
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 for any election since 1960.If that figure is confirmed, turnout will be higher than for any election since 1960.
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
In Virginia, a Republican stronghold which Mr Obama is hoping to capture, top state official Jean Jensen told reporters: "It's a phenomenal turnout."In Virginia, a Republican stronghold which Mr Obama is hoping to capture, top state official Jean Jensen told reporters: "It's a phenomenal turnout."
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.
Queues could require some polling stations to remain open late.Queues could require some polling stations to remain open late.
There were also reports of glitches with electronic voting machines in states, including Florida, Ohio and Virginia - though not on a big scale.There were also reports of glitches with electronic voting machines in states, including Florida, Ohio and Virginia - though not on a big scale.
In early developments:In early developments:
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  • The Democrats made an early gain in the Senate race, with Mark Warner, in Virginia, taking a formerly Republican seat.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote. Almost as many said age did not matter.
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  • Two US networks have called West Virginia - a Republican state in 2004 - for John McCain.
  • The Democrats made an early gain in the Senate race, with Mark Warner, in Virginia, taking a formerly Republican seat.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote, the Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
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    Voters queue in record numbersVoters queue in record numbers
    Mr Obama and his wife voted at a polling station in Chicago, Illinois, with their two daughters.Mr Obama and his wife voted at a polling station in Chicago, Illinois, with their two daughters.
    "When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterwards."When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterwards.
    Mr McCain cast his ballot in Phoenix, Arizona.Mr McCain cast his ballot in Phoenix, Arizona.
    Unusually, both candidates continued to campaign during polling day - Mr Obama in Indiana and his rival in Colorado and New Mexico.Unusually, both candidates continued to campaign during polling day - Mr Obama in Indiana and his rival in Colorado and New Mexico.
    Mr McCain urged supporters to "get out there and vote", and "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be. Mr McCain, 72, urged supporters to "get out there and vote", and "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be.
    Daunting tasksDaunting tasks
    Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.
    Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."
    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 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
    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, 47, increasing his lead over his rival to as much as 13 points.
    Whoever becomes the 44th president of the US will inherit a daunting series of challenges, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a global financial crisis.Whoever becomes the 44th president of the US will inherit a daunting series of challenges, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a global financial crisis.
    Key statesKey states
    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.