This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20201713

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
US set for final campaigning day US set for final campaigning day
(35 minutes later)
US presidential rivals Barack Obama and Mitt Romney face a final day of campaigning in a frantic fight for swing state votes. US presidential rivals Barack Obama and Mitt Romney face a final sprint across swing states for undecided voters, on their last day of campaigning.
Mr Romney is in Florida, where polls suggest he has the edge, Virginia, New Hampshire and Ohio. Mr Romney is in Florida, where polls suggest he has the edge, and will head to Virginia, New Hampshire and Ohio.
Mr Obama is later scheduled to appear in Madison, Wisconsin, accompanied by Bruce Springsteen, before going on to Iowa and Ohio. Mr Obama is scheduled to appear in Madison, Wisconsin, accompanied by Bruce Springsteen, before going on to Iowa and Ohio.
Analysts say the election will come down to a handful of swing states.Analysts say the election will come down to a handful of swing states.
Mr Obama and Mr Romney are running almost neck-and-neck in national polls, but surveys of many key battlegrounds show Mr Obama narrowly ahead. Mr Obama and Mr Romney are running almost neck-and-neck in national polls.
However, neither camp is exuding absolute confidence, the BBC's North America editor Mark Mardell reports. But surveys of the nine-or-so battleground states that will determine the election show Mr Obama narrowly ahead.
Legal challenges
The campaign has been most intense in Ohio - no Republican has ever made it to the White House without winning that state.The campaign has been most intense in Ohio - no Republican has ever made it to the White House without winning that state.
The pair spent Sunday addressing crowds across the country, with Mr Romney speaking in Pennsylvania, a state his aides insist he can now win on Tuesday. Mr Romney would become the first Mormon president of the US if he wins on Tuesday.
The candidates spent Sunday addressing crowds across the country, with Mr Romney speaking in Pennsylvania, a state his aides insist he can now win on Tuesday.
Mr Obama held rallies in New Hampshire and Florida and carried on to Ohio and Colorado in the evening.Mr Obama held rallies in New Hampshire and Florida and carried on to Ohio and Colorado in the evening.
Thirty million Americans have already cast their ballot through early voting across 34 states. In the 2008 presidential election, 130 million people voted.
In Florida, Democrats have filed a legal case demanding an extension of time available for early voting, citing unprecedented demand.In Florida, Democrats have filed a legal case demanding an extension of time available for early voting, citing unprecedented demand.
In Ohio, Republican election officials will go to court on Monday to defend an 11th-hour directive to local election officials.In Ohio, Republican election officials will go to court on Monday to defend an 11th-hour directive to local election officials.
Last month, a federal appeals court reinstated early voting on the last three days before Tuesday's election.Last month, a federal appeals court reinstated early voting on the last three days before Tuesday's election.
The ruling overturned a state law saying early voting should end on the Friday before the election, making an exception only for voters living overseas and for military personnel, who tend to favour Republican candidates.The ruling overturned a state law saying early voting should end on the Friday before the election, making an exception only for voters living overseas and for military personnel, who tend to favour Republican candidates.
Critics say this potentially favours the Obama camp.Critics say this potentially favours the Obama camp.
Race 'tightening' A href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/04/dispatch-poll-shows-ohio-a-toss-up.html" >final poll published on Sunday by Ohio's Columbus Dispatch newspaper gave Mr Obama a 2% lead - 50% to 48% - over his rival, within the margin of error.
A final poll published on Sunday by Ohio's Columbus Dispatch gave Mr Obama a 2% lead - 50% to 48% - over his rival, within the margin of error.
Both candidates visited the Buckeye State on Sunday, with Mr Romney telling crowds in Cleveland that Mr Obama has failed in his pledge to be a "post-partisan" president and criticising his record.Both candidates visited the Buckeye State on Sunday, with Mr Romney telling crowds in Cleveland that Mr Obama has failed in his pledge to be a "post-partisan" president and criticising his record.
"He's been divisive, blaming, attacking, dividing and - by the way - it's not only Republicans that he refused to listen to, he also refused to listen to independent voices.""He's been divisive, blaming, attacking, dividing and - by the way - it's not only Republicans that he refused to listen to, he also refused to listen to independent voices."
Later on Sunday, he spoke in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, his first visit there in the final stages of the campaign. Democrats say the Romney team's last-minute decision to campaign in the state is a sign of desperation, but polls do show href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/pa/pennsylvania_romney_vs_obama-1891.html" >a tightening race. Later on Sunday, he spoke in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, his first visit there in the final stages of the campaign.
"The people of America understand we're taking back the White House because we're going to win Pennsylvania," Mr Romney told the crowd in Morrisville."The people of America understand we're taking back the White House because we're going to win Pennsylvania," Mr Romney told the crowd in Morrisville.
Democrats say the Romney team's last-minute decision to campaign in the state is a sign of desperation, but polls do show a tightening race.
The Democrats have responded by sending former President Bill Clinton to campaign at several events in Pennsylvania for Mr Obama on Monday.
Mr Obama made another appearance in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Stevie Wonder opened a huge evening rally.Mr Obama made another appearance in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Stevie Wonder opened a huge evening rally.
Earlier in the day at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, Mr Obama said: "We have come too far to turn back now."Earlier in the day at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, Mr Obama said: "We have come too far to turn back now."
He said he would work across party lines to break the political gridlock in Washington, but would not compromise on priorities such as healthcare and college financial aid.He said he would work across party lines to break the political gridlock in Washington, but would not compromise on priorities such as healthcare and college financial aid.
"It's now up to you," Mr Obama said in Concord, the state capital. "That's how a democracy works, right? That ultimately, it's up to you. You have the power. You are shaping the decisions for this country for decades to come. Right now. In the next two days."
Activists have been stepping up efforts across the crucial swing states.Activists have been stepping up efforts across the crucial swing states.
In Wisconsin, student volunteers have been putting in 14-hour days in an effort to deliver the state for Mr Obama, the BBC's Paul Adams reports from Madison.In Wisconsin, student volunteers have been putting in 14-hour days in an effort to deliver the state for Mr Obama, the BBC's Paul Adams reports from Madison.
An opinion poll on Sunday for ABC News and the Washington Post put the two candidates at 48%, with even voters who term themselves independents split evenly on 46%.An opinion poll on Sunday for ABC News and the Washington Post put the two candidates at 48%, with even voters who term themselves independents split evenly on 46%.
Mr Romney remains favoured among whites, seniors and evangelical Christians; Mr Obama among women, non-whites and young adults.Mr Romney remains favoured among whites, seniors and evangelical Christians; Mr Obama among women, non-whites and young adults.
The president also remains slightly ahead in most of the nine-or-so swing states that will determine the election. Opinion polls published on Saturday showed Mr Obama well-placed in Iowa, Nevada and Ohio, but most remain within the surveys' own margins of error.
Opinion polls published on Saturday showed him well-placed in Iowa, Nevada and Ohio, but most remain within the polls' own margins of error.
The election is decided by the electoral college. Each state is given a number of votes based on a mix of population and representation in Congress. The candidate who wins 270 electoral college votes becomes president.The election is decided by the electoral college. Each state is given a number of votes based on a mix of population and representation in Congress. The candidate who wins 270 electoral college votes becomes president.
A handful of governors, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are also up for election on Tuesday.
Republicans are expected to keep control of the House, while Democrats were tipped to remain in sway of the Senate.
The BBC will be providing full online live results of the US presidential election on 6 November. More details here The BBC will be providing full online live results of the US presidential election on 6 November. More details here
Are you a voter in one of the swing states? Send us your comments on the election campaign using the form below.Are you a voter in one of the swing states? Send us your comments on the election campaign using the form below.