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Democrats 'take control of House' Democrats 'take control of House'
(30 minutes later)
The Democratic Party has won control of the House of Representatives in the US mid-term elections, according to projections from ABC news.The Democratic Party has won control of the House of Representatives in the US mid-term elections, according to projections from ABC news.
The Democrats needed to pick up 15 net seats to wrest power from the Republicans, who have controlled the House for the past 12 years. The White House conceded the Democrats had picked up the 15 net seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans, following predictions of major gains.
The Democrats have also won three of six target Senate seats - but several key races remain too close to call.The Democrats have also won three of six target Senate seats - but several key races remain too close to call.
Most polls have now closed across the US, with high turnout reported.Most polls have now closed across the US, with high turnout reported.
The election results will define the course of Republican 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 focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans stressed their own stance on security.The Democrats focused on voters' anger over the Iraq war during their campaign, while the Republicans stressed their own stance on security.
GAINS SO FAR SENATE- DEMOCRATS Casey gains PennsylvaniaBrown gains OhioWhitehouse gains Rhode Island HOUSE - DEMOCRATS Donnelly gains Indiana-2Ellsworth gains Indiana-8Yarmuth gains Kentucky-3 GOVERNORSHIPS - DEMOCRATS Patrick gains MassachusettsStrickland gains OhioSpitzer gains New YorkBeebe gains ArkansasRitter gains Colorado Velcro president's final test In pictures: US mid-terms Send us your commentsGAINS SO FAR SENATE- DEMOCRATS Casey gains PennsylvaniaBrown gains OhioWhitehouse gains Rhode Island HOUSE - DEMOCRATS Donnelly gains Indiana-2Ellsworth gains Indiana-8Yarmuth gains Kentucky-3 GOVERNORSHIPS - DEMOCRATS Patrick gains MassachusettsStrickland gains OhioSpitzer gains New YorkBeebe gains ArkansasRitter gains Colorado Velcro president's final test In pictures: US mid-terms Send us your comments
With projected results coming through, the Democrats had gained 16 House seats from the Republicans - enough to win control providing they hold their existing seats. With projected results still coming through, the Democrats had gained 16 House seats from the Republicans - enough to win control providing they hold their existing seats.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told activists in Washington DC that the party was "on the brink of a great Democratic victory". Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said the White House had conceded defeat in the House.
"We believe Democrats will have control of the House, and look forward to working with Democratic leaders on the issues that remain foremost on the agenda, including winning the war in Iraq and the broader war on terror and keeping the economy on a growth path," he said.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi had earlier told activists in Washington DC that the party was "on the brink of a great Democratic victory".
Senate gains
Democratic hopes have also been bolstered by wins bringing them closer to their target of six net Senate seats.Democratic hopes have also been bolstered by wins bringing them closer to their target of six net Senate seats.
In Pennsylvania, Democrat Bob Casey Jr beat one of his party's biggest Republican targets this year, arch-conservative incumbent Rick Santorum.In Pennsylvania, Democrat Bob Casey Jr beat one of his party's biggest Republican targets this year, arch-conservative incumbent Rick Santorum.
Electronic equipment was used for the first time in some places
In Ohio, where the Republican Party has been hit by scandal, Democrat Sherrod Brown won a decisive victory over incumbent Republican Mike DeWine.In Ohio, where the Republican Party has been hit by scandal, Democrat Sherrod Brown won a decisive victory over incumbent Republican Mike DeWine.
Democratic supporters in Pennsylvania are effusive and optimistic Jonathan Beale Reporters' blog: Live updates First Muslim congressman elected
The Senate seat in Rhode Island has gone to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse after a closely-fought battle with incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee.The Senate seat in Rhode Island has gone to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse after a closely-fought battle with incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee.
In New Jersey, Democrat incumbent Senator Bob Menendez has 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 New Jersey, Democrat incumbent Senator Bob Menendez has 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.
The Senate race in Virginia, where Democrat Jim Webb is challenging incumbent George Allen, remains too close to call, according to US media reports.The Senate race in Virginia, where Democrat Jim Webb is challenging incumbent George Allen, remains too close to call, according to US media reports.
Certainly the early indications look good but I think we're all prepared to stay up all night and watch to make sure Howard DeanDemocratic Party chief The Senate seat in Connecticut has gone to Joe Lieberman, who stood as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont amid strong anti-war feeling. He has said he will align himself with the Democrats. The Senate seat in Connecticut has gone to Joe Lieberman, who stood as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont amid strong anti-war feeling. He has said he will align himself with the Democrats.
"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. Democrat Keith Ellison has been elected as the nation's first Muslim member of Congress, taking a House seat in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, Democrat Keith Ellison has been elected as the nation's first Muslim member of Congress, taking a House seat in Minnesota.
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.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.
Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states.
Appeal to votersAppeal 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.
BALANCE OF CONGRESS 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 Electronic equipment was used for the first time in some places
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".
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - who cast her own vote alongside former President Bill Clinton - has strolled to re-election in New York, as expected. Her win opens the way for a potential presidential run in 2008.Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - who cast her own vote alongside former President Bill Clinton - has strolled to re-election in New York, as expected. Her win opens the way for a potential presidential run in 2008.
Meanwhile, the Clintons' daughter Chelsea was turned away from a Manhattan voting booth because she was not on a list of registered voters. 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.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. BALANCE OF CONGRESS 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 href="/1/hi/world/americas/6114108.stm" class="">Voting machine problems 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.
Glitches Technical hitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.
Glitches delayed voting in dozens of precincts in Indiana and Ohio.
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 Voting machine problems Ballot propositions
Officials extended polling hours in six states because of problems with electronic voting machines.Officials extended polling hours in six states because of problems with electronic voting machines.
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.
In Virginia, election officials told ABC News the FBI was investigating claims of voter intimidation.In Virginia, election officials told ABC News the FBI was investigating claims of voter intimidation.
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.
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.
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.