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-20233064

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
President Barack Obama wins re-election President Barack Obama defeats Romney to win re-election
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
With results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.With results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.
Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.
Mr Obama's margin of victory is not yet certain because three states have yet to report results. Mr Obama's margin of victory is not yet certain because two states have yet to report results.
With swing states Virginia and Florida still too close to call, Mr Obama has won 281 electoral votes to Mr Romney's 203. Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, has called the president to concede the race.
With Florida still too close to call, Mr Obama has won 303 electoral votes to Mr Romney's 203.
The state of Alaska, where polls have yet to close, is expected to vote for the Republican.The state of Alaska, where polls have yet to close, is expected to vote for the Republican.
Under the US constitution, each state is given a number of electoral votes in rough proportion to its population. The candidate who wins 270 electoral votes - by prevailing in the mostly winner-takes-all state contests - becomes president.Under the US constitution, each state is given a number of electoral votes in rough proportion to its population. The candidate who wins 270 electoral votes - by prevailing in the mostly winner-takes-all state contests - becomes president.
The popular vote, which is symbolically and politically important but not decisive in the race, remains too close to call.The popular vote, which is symbolically and politically important but not decisive in the race, remains too close to call.
On Tuesday, the president held the White House by assembling solid Democratic states and a number of important swing states such as Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. His narrow victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed the victory. On Tuesday, the president held the White House by assembling solid Democratic states and a number of important swing states such as Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin. His narrow victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed the victory.
Mr Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, won North Carolina and Indiana, as well as the solid Republican states. Billions spent
Mr Romney won North Carolina and Indiana, both of which Mr Obama won in 2008, as well as the solid Republican states.
303 Barack Obama -33 electoral votes needed for Democrat win 203 Mitt Romney 67 electoral votes needed for Republican win
  • California 55
  • Colorado 9
  • Connecticut 7
  • District of Colombria 3
  • Delaware 3
  • Hawaii 4
  • Iowa 6
  • Illinois 20
  • Massachusetts 11
  • Maryland 10
  • Maine 4
  • Michigan 16
  • Minnesota 10
  • Nebraska 0
  • New Hampshire 4
  • New Jersey 14
  • New Mexico 5
  • Nevada 6
  • New York 29
  • Ohio 18
  • Oregon 7
  • Pennsylvania 20
  • Rhode Island 4
  • Virginia 13
  • Vermont 3
  • Washington 12
  • Wisconsin 10
  • Alabama 9
  • Arkansas 6
  • Arizona 11
  • Georgia 16
  • Idaho 4
  • Indiana 11
  • Kansas 6
  • Kentucky 8
  • Louisiana 8
  • Maine 0
  • Missouri 10
  • Mississippi 6
  • Montana 3
  • North Carolina 15
  • North Dakota 3
  • Nebraska 5
  • Oklahoma 7
  • South Carolina 9
  • South Dakota 3
  • Tennessee 11
  • Texas 38
  • Utah 6
  • West Virginia 5
  • Wyoming 3
270 to win Results in full
But he was unable to win in Ohio or other states needed to breach the 270 threshold.But he was unable to win in Ohio or other states needed to breach the 270 threshold.
Also on Tuesday's ballot were 11 state governorships, a third of the seats in the 100-member US Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.Also on Tuesday's ballot were 11 state governorships, a third of the seats in the 100-member US Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
Republicans are projected to keep control of the House, while Democrats are tipped to remain in control in the Senate.Republicans are projected to keep control of the House, while Democrats are tipped to remain in control in the Senate.
Mr Obama's re-election victory came despite lingering high employment - 7.9% on election day - and tepid economic growth.Mr Obama's re-election victory came despite lingering high employment - 7.9% on election day - and tepid economic growth.
But voters gave him credit for his 2009 rescue of the US auto industry, among other policy accomplishments, and rewarded him for ordering the commando mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan last year. But voters gave him credit for his 2009 rescue of the US car industry, among other policy accomplishments, and rewarded him for ordering the commando mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan last year.
The BBC is providing full online live results of the US presidential election. href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20103937" title="BBC News" >More details here . He and Mr Romney, as well as their respective allies, have spent more than $2bn (£1.25bn) - largely on adverts in swing states.

US Election Tweets

What are tweets?

US Election Tweets

What are tweets?
What is your reaction to the US presidential election result? Send us your views and pictures.What is your reaction to the US presidential election result? Send us your views and pictures.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions