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_2008/7736095.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Alaska Senate race reaches climax Six-term senator loses in Alaska
(about 4 hours later)
The final votes are being counted in Alaska's knife-edge Senate race between incumbent Republican Ted Stevens and Democrat Mark Begich. Alaska's Republican Senator Ted Stevens has lost his bid for a seventh term in office after a knife-edge race against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.
Mr Begich's lead had increased to 2,374 votes as of 1239 local time (2139 GMT). The Democratic candidate led the Senate's longest-serving Republican by 3,724 after Tuesday's count, with only 2,500 overseas votes to be counted.
Meanwhile, the close senate race in Minnesota is set to go to a recount, and campaigning is under way ahead of a runoff vote in Georgia on 2 December. Minnesota's senate race is set to go to a recount, while campaigning is under way in Georgia ahead of a runoff vote.
The Democratic Party has already gained a handful of Senate seats and could yet end up with 60 out of 100. Democrats have made Senate gains and could end up with 60 out of 100 seats.
This would be enough to prevent Republicans filibustering - or "talking out" a piece of legislation, so that it fails to pass within the time available. The Alaska senate race was plunged into controversy when Mr Stevens, 85, was convicted last month of lying about gifts he had received from an oil company.
He is appealing against the verdict, but has reportedly said he would not ask President George W Bush to give him a pardon for the seven felony convictions.
Automatic recountAutomatic recount
The Alaska senate race was plunged into controversy when Mr Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, was convicted of lying about gifts he had received from an oil company.
Mr Stevens is appealing against the verdict, but his fellow senators may vote to expel him from the chamber if he wins re-election.
REMAINING SENATE RACES Alaska: Remaining votes expected to favour DemocratMinnesota: Manual recount set to beginGeorgia: Run-off scheduled for 2 December
Mr Begich is expected to stay in the lead, because the uncounted votes all come from regions in which he has performed well.
In Minnesota, Democrat Al Franken, a well-known comedian, trails incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by just 206 votes, or 0.007% of the vote.In Minnesota, Democrat Al Franken, a well-known comedian, trails incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by just 206 votes, or 0.007% of the vote.
REMAINING SENATE RACES Minnesota: Manual recount set to beginGeorgia: Run-off scheduled for 2 December
According to Minnesota state law, a winning margin of less than 0.5% of the vote triggers an automatic manual recount. The decision is expected to be taken on Tuesday, with the recount starting on Wednesday.According to Minnesota state law, a winning margin of less than 0.5% of the vote triggers an automatic manual recount. The decision is expected to be taken on Tuesday, with the recount starting on Wednesday.
When ballots are counted by hand, candidates can often pick up votes, because human counters register votes that counting machines ignore.When ballots are counted by hand, candidates can often pick up votes, because human counters register votes that counting machines ignore.
In Georgia, because no candidate won more than 50% of the vote, a run-off between the top two candidates was automatically triggered.In Georgia, because no candidate won more than 50% of the vote, a run-off between the top two candidates was automatically triggered.
Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss faces Democratic challenger Jim Martin in the 2 December vote.Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss faces Democratic challenger Jim Martin in the 2 December vote.
A recent opinion poll from Research 2000 gave Mr Chambliss a three-point lead, with 49% to Mr Martin's 46%.A recent opinion poll from Research 2000 gave Mr Chambliss a three-point lead, with 49% to Mr Martin's 46%.
Former president Bill Clinton is due to campaign for Mr Martin on Wednesday.Former president Bill Clinton is due to campaign for Mr Martin on Wednesday.
Historic splitHistoric split
As well as the three outstanding senate races, the outcome of one state's presidential vote has still not been declared.As well as the three outstanding senate races, the outcome of one state's presidential vote has still not been declared.
LATE STATE RESULTS Missouri: John McCain favoured to winNebraska: State officials announced on Friday that the vote was split for the first time ever In Missouri, John McCain is leading by some 4,900 votes, with only provisional ballots left to be counted.LATE STATE RESULTS Missouri: John McCain favoured to winNebraska: State officials announced on Friday that the vote was split for the first time ever In Missouri, John McCain is leading by some 4,900 votes, with only provisional ballots left to be counted.
Provisional ballots are votes cast by people whose eligibility to vote is unclear on election day.Provisional ballots are votes cast by people whose eligibility to vote is unclear on election day.
Even if all of the provisional ballots were declared valid, Barack Obama would have to win the vast majority of them to take the state.Even if all of the provisional ballots were declared valid, Barack Obama would have to win the vast majority of them to take the state.
So far, only one US network - NBC - has declared Mr McCain the winner in Missouri.So far, only one US network - NBC - has declared Mr McCain the winner in Missouri.
Last Friday, Nebraska officials declared that Mr Obama had won one of the state's electoral college votes.Last Friday, Nebraska officials declared that Mr Obama had won one of the state's electoral college votes.
It is the first time in US history that a state has split its electoral college votes.It is the first time in US history that a state has split its electoral college votes.
Nebraska grants two electoral college votes to the winner of the state-wide vote, and one electoral vote for the winner in each congressional district.Nebraska grants two electoral college votes to the winner of the state-wide vote, and one electoral vote for the winner in each congressional district.