Voter turnout appeared to be high in many parts of the United States, with long waits at some polling places.
Election observers reported sporadic problems around the country, with long waits, broken machines and displaced voters affected by Superstorm Sandy, but as polls were due to start closing it was too early to tell how much of an impact the issues would have on the overall result.
After months of candidate visits, campaign bitterness and a barrage of costly television ads, Florida was poised on Tuesday to play a crucial role in picking America's next president.
The state has 29 electoral votes up for grabs, the most of any swing state, and both President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney worked hard here until the final moments of the campaign.
Turnout appeared to be heavy, with long lines reported in many places, even though more than 4.5 (m) million people out of nearly 12 (m) million registered voters cast ballots early.
Anyone in line when the polls close at 7 pm EST (0000GMT) will be allowed to vote Tuesday, Florida officials said.
There were reports of sporadic, but mostly minor problems at the polls on Tuesday.
One Florida elections office mistakenly told voters in robocalls the election was on Wednesday.
Another office lost power for about 45 minutes.
Florida, with its diversity, wealth and political cache has long been seen as a toss-up by political experts.
Obama won here in 2008, but since then, the state's unemployment and foreclosure rates have remained above the national average.
Another win in Florida would all but assure Obama four more years in the White House.
Turnout for the election also appears to be high so far in parts of New York, including areas ravaged by superstorm Sandy last week.
Obama is expected to easily capture New York's 29 electoral votes in his race against Republican challenger Romney.
In Harlem, intermittent ballot scanning problems caused delays for about a dozen voters.
Poll worker, Carolyn LouAllen, admitted that some scanners were "breaking down" and it was "hard getting in touch with people at the main office."
But many, including New York City voter Ethan Newlin, said the scanners appeared to be working, "just fine."
Workers answering phones at the Election Protection call centre in New York City said they received more than 5,500 calls from New Jersey residents who were encountering issues, many of which dealt with voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy having trouble finding polling stations.
Election Protection Lead, Catherine Weiss, described it as an unusually high volume of calls from voters in New Jersey.
She said it was "two or three times at least the normal volume," even though the state had made provision for displaced New Jersey residents.
Many people across New Jersey who lost their homes in last week's megastorm or are still without power went the extra mile, literally, to get out and vote Tuesday.
For Point Pleasant voter Danielle Carr it was a relief to be able to vote,
"It was quick and easy, " she said. "We went in and voted right away and I'm just happy to be able to do it because I was worried we weren't going to be able to."
As tough as his personal situation is, with a damaged business and destroyed home, Lou Mercatanti, "wanted to vote under any set of circumstances."
Jean Marie Payne, bought her daughter to vote, making the point that "even if there are things going on around you, you have to take a moment just to voice your opinion and voice, you know, the things that really matter to you."
Associated Press
Wed Nov 07 2012
![Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723628328_TBKandapan.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![Barack Obama, isteri sokong Kamala Harris dalam saingan Presiden AS Barack Obama, isteri sokong Kamala Harris dalam saingan Presiden AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/51482646389_BarackObama.jpg)
Barack Obama, isteri sokong Kamala Harris dalam saingan Presiden AS
Obama berkata beliau dan isteri, Michelle menyatakan sokongan kepada Naib Presiden Kamala Harris dalam perlumbaan presiden November ini.
![Obama ucap terima kasih kepada Biden, tidak sahkan sokongan terhadap Harris Obama ucap terima kasih kepada Biden, tidak sahkan sokongan terhadap Harris](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721608751_BarackObama.jpg)
Obama ucap terima kasih kepada Biden, tidak sahkan sokongan terhadap Harris
Obama berkata, Biden merupakan salah seorang Presiden Amerika yang paling penting serta menjadi kawan dan rakan kongsi yang dikasihi.
![Obama, Pelosi mahu Biden pertimbang undur diri daripada pilihan raya AS Obama, Pelosi mahu Biden pertimbang undur diri daripada pilihan raya AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721339428_USPresident.jpg)
Obama, Pelosi mahu Biden pertimbang undur diri daripada pilihan raya AS
Pelosi turut mengemukakan tinjauan pendapat yang menunjukkan Biden tidak akan mampu menewaskan calon Republikan, Donald Trump.
![Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721093818_JoeBiden.jpg)
Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama
Kenyataan Obama mengundang kecaman warganet terutamanya istilah 'keganasan politik' yang dikatakan menunjukkan sisi hipokrasi Washington.
![Kematian tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama diisytihar satu kemalangan Kematian tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama diisytihar satu kemalangan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61692782695_Obamaschef.jpg)
Kematian tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama diisytihar satu kemalangan
Punca kematian diisytiharkan sebagai kes lemas dan cara kematian disahkan sebagai satu kemalangan.
![Tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama ditemukan lemas Tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama ditemukan lemas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/51690258357_TafariCampbell.jpg)
Tukang masak peribadi Barack Obama ditemukan lemas
Mendiang Campbell meninggalkan seorang isteri, Sherise dan sepasang anak kembar.
![Kes 1MDB: Jho Low rancang derma RM132 juta kempen Obama 2012 Kes 1MDB: Jho Low rancang derma RM132 juta kempen Obama 2012](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61680574517_LeonardoDiCaprio.jpg)
Kes 1MDB: Jho Low rancang derma RM132 juta kempen Obama 2012
DiCaprio memberitahu juri bahawa Jho Low merancang untuk menderma sekitar AS$30 juta bagi membantu kempen pemilihan semula Barack Obama.
![Naib Presiden AS Kamala Harris mulakan lawatan seminggu ke Afrika Naib Presiden AS Kamala Harris mulakan lawatan seminggu ke Afrika](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/81679810080_TBSINGHARRIS.jpg)
Naib Presiden AS Kamala Harris mulakan lawatan seminggu ke Afrika
Kamala Harris memulakan lawatan seminggu ke Afrika bermula hujung minggu ini.
![Pemimpin, selebriti dan peminat bola sepak dunia ratapi pemergian Pele Pemimpin, selebriti dan peminat bola sepak dunia ratapi pemergian Pele](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/71672348957_Pele.jpg)
Pemimpin, selebriti dan peminat bola sepak dunia ratapi pemergian Pele
Pele meninggal dunia pada usia 82 tahun selepas bertarung dengan kanser kolon.
![Obama, Michelle kembali ke White House untuk lancar potret rasmi Obama, Michelle kembali ke White House untuk lancar potret rasmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/81662617460_TBOBAMAPOTRAIT.jpg)
Obama, Michelle kembali ke White House untuk lancar potret rasmi
Bekas Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Barack Obama dan isteri Michelle Obama kembali ke Rumah Putih untuk melancarkan potret rasmi mereka.