Americans go to the polls to decide who will be president. Voting started on the East Coast at 06:00 am, though some villages in New Hampshire cast ballots shortly after midnight. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took part in a hectic schedule of last-minute campaign events into the early hours of Tuesday. Both touched down in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Mrs Clinton said she looked forward to a “hopeful, inclusive, big-hearted America”. Mr Trump spoke of a “magnificent chance to beat the corrupt system”. The result could emerge around 10 PM once the West Coast finishes voting. Individual state projections are expected after 7PM.
The Senate is up for grabs Tuesday, as competitive races in nine states will determine whether Republicans can hold on to power or if Democrats are able to win a slim majority.
Republicans now hold a 54-46 advantage in the Senate, but come into Election Day with more battleground seats to defend, including in Indiana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
The House is also up for grabs Tuesday night, but Republicans are widely expected to keep their majority — even if their current 234 to 201-seat advantage is narrowed.
In the Senate, Democrats need five Republican seats to get to the 51 needed for a majority. If the night ends in a 50-50 split, the new vice president would give his party the majority.
Control of the Senate will be key to the early successes of a Trump or Clinton administration.
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