Millions of voters braved coronavirus concerns and occasional long lines on Tuesday to choose between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden in an epic election that will influence how the US confronts everything from the pandemic to race relations for years to come.
Those who turned out in person joined 102 million fellow Americans who voted days or weeks earlier, a record number that represented 73 per cent of the total vote in the 2016 presidential election. Spirits were high -- and positive -- in many polling places after a long, exceptionally divisive campaign.
Check out the latest updates on the US Elections 2020 on BusinessToday.In live blog.
8.48 AM:CNN Projections says Joe Biden is leading from Utah and Arizona but has suffered a setback in Florida. North Carolina is a close call between both the candidates. The Democrat presidential candidate is also leading from New Mexico and Minnesota.
8.44 AM: In an attempt to curb misinformation, Twitter has started labelling tweets that prematurely call the outcome of the US Elections 2020. One of these tweets is from the Trump campaign that said that Donald Trump won South Carolina.
8.37 AM: US stocks staged a broad spirited rally on Election Day as investors bet that a decisive win would lead to a swift deal for a big fiscal stimulus package.
8.33 AM: US President Donald Trump wins South Dakota and North Dakota. Joe Biden wins Colorado and Connecticut. -- Reuters
8.31 AM: US President Donald Trump wins South Carolina and Alabama, in addition to South Dakota, North Dakota, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Indiana. -- Reuters
08:20 AM: Hindu Sena offers special prayers at a temple wishing for Donald Trump's win
The workers and supporters of Hindu Sena offered special prayers at a Delhi temple wishing for the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the US polls. Ved Prakash, the priest who performed the ceremony said that Trump has been outspoken against Islamic radicalisation. The priest further added that the world should support Trump in these elections.
08:10 AM: As Americans decide the fate of Biden and Trump at the ballot boxes, US President Donald Trump has said that it would be difficult for him to face a potential defeat against Joe Biden.
08:00 AM: Donald Trump has won in Nebraska, Louisiana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Meanwhile, Biden has taken New Mexico, his homestate of Delware, Vermont, Massachussets, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Rhode Island and New Jersey. (Agencies)
7.52 AM: US elections are likely to witness the highest voter turnout at 67 per cent in the 2020 presidential election, which is the highest in more than a century
7.40 AM: Biden urges voters to stay in line. "As polls begin to close in certain parts of the country, remember to stay in line. If you're in line at your polling place before it closes, you're able to vote," he tweets.
As polls begin to close in certain parts of the country, remember to stay in line.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 3, 2020
If you’re in line at your polling place before it closes, you’re able to vote. pic.twitter.com/qUpn30B8mj
7.30 AM: Donald Trump says his party is looking good allover the country. "WE ARE LOOKING REALLY GOOD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU!" tweets Trump.
WE ARE LOOKING REALLY GOOD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2020