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US awaits results as polls close US awaits results as polls close
(40 minutes later)
Early projected results are starting to come through in US mid-term elections, as polls begin to close in some states. Counting has begun in the US mid-term elections as polls close across the country amid reports of a high turnout.
The Democrats have won an important Senate race and taken the governorship in Ohio, according to US media reports. The Democrats have taken at least two high-priority Senate seats, in Ohio and Pennsylvania, although several key races remain too close to call.
The whole House of Representatives and a third of the Senate are up for re-election, with Democrats hoping to win control of at least the House. Glitches have been reported with electronic voting machines, forcing polling to be extended in some places.
The poll results will define the course of President George W Bush's last two years in office. The election results will define the course of Republican President George W Bush's last two years in office.
The Democrats have focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans have stressed their own stance on security.The Democrats have focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans have stressed their own stance on security.
CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being contestedRepublicans hold 229 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; four vacant seatsDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House SENATE: 100 seats - 33 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate href="/1/hi/world/americas/6124850.stm" class="">Media sees gridlock ahead Glitches have been reported with electronic voting machines, forcing polling to be extended in some places, but in a number of states the counting of votes is well under way. CONGRESS BALANCE OF POWER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 seats - all being contestedRepublicans hold 229 seats; Democrats 201; one seat independent; four vacant seatsDemocrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House SENATE: 100 seats - 33 being contestedRepublicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independentDemocrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate href="/1/hi/world/americas/4734318.stm" class="">Q&A: US mid-terms
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says exit polls have given the Democrats some cause for optimism. The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says exit polls gave the Democrats some cause for optimism.
CNN has called West Virginia's Senate seat for Democrat Robert Byrd, 88, who in 2006 became the longest-serving senator in history. He could now add another six years to his tally. And as results start to come through, the Democratic hopes have been bolstered by some important wins.
And according to the Associated Press, Democrat Deval Patrick has taken the governorship in Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania, Democrat Bob Casey Jr beat one of the Democrats' biggest Republican targets this year, arch-conservative incumbent Rick Santorum.
US media also predicted that in New Jersey, Democrat incumbent Senator Bob Menendez had succeeded in holding off a strong challenge from the Republicans' Thomas Kean. The race had been seen as the Republicans' best chance of picking up a seat from their rivals.
In Ohio, where the Republican Party has been hit by scandal, CBS has called the Senate and governorship races for the Democrats.
And in Massachusetts, Democrat Deval Patrick has taken the governorship. He becomes the first black governor of the state and only the second elected black governor of any state.
"Certainly the early indications look good but I think we're all prepared to stay up all night and watch to make sure," Democratic Party chief Howard Dean told CNN.
Appeals to votersAppeals to voters
President Bush, with his wife Laura alongside him, cast his vote early on Tuesday at a fire station in Crawford, near his Texas ranch.President Bush, with his wife Laura alongside him, cast his vote early on Tuesday at a fire station in Crawford, near his Texas ranch.
Velcro president's final test href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6034543.stm" class="">Bush approval polltracker Send us your comments Velcro president's final test href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6124168.stm" class="">In pictures: US mid-terms Send us your comments
He urged voters, whatever their affiliation, to "do your duty, cast your ballot and let your voice be heard".He urged voters, whatever their affiliation, to "do your duty, cast your ballot and let your voice be heard".
Democrat former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, cast their votes in New York, where Mrs Clinton is expected to win a second term. Democratic former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, cast their votes in New York, where Mrs Clinton is expected to win a second term.
"Don't stay home. Please come out and vote because the future of our country, particularly this election, does depend on it," she urged voters."Don't stay home. Please come out and vote because the future of our country, particularly this election, does depend on it," she urged voters.
Correspondents report that anecdotal evidence from around the country suggests that large numbers of people have turned out to vote. Meanwhile, the Clintons' daughter Chelsea was turned away from a Manhattan voting booth because she was not on a list of registered voters.
Her name had been sent to the wrong polling station, and she was offered an "affidavit vote" which will be counted later once her details are confirmed.
A national exit poll for the Associated Press indicated that about two-thirds of people felt Iraq was very important to their vote.A national exit poll for the Associated Press indicated that about two-thirds of people felt Iraq was very important to their vote.
Yet even more voters - about 80% - said the economy, government corruption and scandal were very important to their votes, the survey of 8,344 voters said.Yet even more voters - about 80% - said the economy, government corruption and scandal were very important to their votes, the survey of 8,344 voters said.
GlitchesGlitches
There were reports of problems involving new electronic voting equipment in a number of states.
WHEN KEY POLLS CLOSE (GMT) 2300: Parts of Indiana, Kentucky0000: Virginia and Indiana*0030: Ohio0100: Tennessee, Pennsylvania*, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois*, Florida, Connecticut0200: Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Colorado0300: Montana0400: California * States in which some precincts have extended voting hours Key races for the House Ballot propositions
Glitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.Glitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.
Officials extended polling hours in Delaware County, Indiana, in Lebanon and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania, and in certain precincts in Georgia and South Carolina after voting was held up by computer problems. WHEN KEY POLLS CLOSE (GMT) 2300: Parts of Indiana, Kentucky0000: Virginia and Indiana*0030: Ohio0100: Tennessee, Pennsylvania*, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois*, Florida, Connecticut0200: Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Colorado0300: Montana0400: California * States in which some precincts have extended voting hours href="/1/hi/world/americas/6114108.stm" class="">Voting machine problems href="/1/hi/world/americas/6085404.stm" class="">Ballot propositions
There were reports that districts in Tennessee and Colorado were also seeking to keep polling stations open longer. Officials extended polling hours in six states because of problems with electronic voting machines.
Problems were also reported in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland, although experts said many of the difficulties were minor.
In Virginia, election officials contacted the FBI over complaints of voters being intimidated by telephone.In Virginia, election officials contacted the FBI over complaints of voters being intimidated by telephone.
KEY SENATE RACES MissouriMontanaOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVirginiaNew Jersey The new voting technology has been brought in to replace older systems, such as the punch-card machines which were at the centre of the Florida dispute during the 2000 presidential election. The new voting technology has been brought in to replace older systems, such as the punch-card machines which were at the centre of the Florida dispute during the 2000 presidential election.
A clear-cut result would mean none of those difficulties would matter, says our correspondent in Washington, but if the result is too close to call there could be plenty of room for disputed recounts and litigation, he adds.A clear-cut result would mean none of those difficulties would matter, says our correspondent in Washington, but if the result is too close to call there could be plenty of room for disputed recounts and litigation, he adds.
'Referendum' KEY SENATE RACES MissouriMontanaOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVirginiaNew Jersey
Some 200 million people are eligible to vote in the elections.Some 200 million people are eligible to vote in the elections.
In the days before the vote, both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states to rally supporters to the polls.In the days before the vote, both parties have sent thousands of volunteers to battleground states to rally supporters to the polls.
Observers say that turnout could be higher than the 40% usually seen during mid-term elections.
The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the race has tightened in the last few days.
The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate.
Correspondents say that Democratic control of even one house of Congress could mean legislative gridlock.Correspondents say that Democratic control of even one house of Congress could mean legislative gridlock.
It would enable the Democrats to hold greater influence on Congressional committees, launch investigations into the war in Iraq, limit spending in Iraq and stall other Bush administration policies.It would enable the Democrats to hold greater influence on Congressional committees, launch investigations into the war in Iraq, limit spending in Iraq and stall other Bush administration policies.
Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.
The BBC News website is carrying Senate, House and gubernatorial results as they break, plus analysis and full TV coverage.The BBC News website is carrying Senate, House and gubernatorial results as they break, plus analysis and full TV coverage.