Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of Virginia soon after polls closed there about 7 p.m. President Trump was declared the winner of Kentucky as soon as polls closed across the state.
Trump was also declared the winner of West Virginia and South Carolina. Meanwhile, Biden was called the winner of Vermont as soon as polls closed there.
Polls closed across most of Florida at 7 p.m., and that state remains too close to call. The Florida Panhandle closes at 8 p.m.
CBS News anchor Gayle King summed up the national mood in the opening moments of the Eye’s “America Decides” election coverage by observing: “People just want this to be over — which in this case is spelled O-V-A-H.”
Despite vows of restraint amid an unprecedented electoral process, live coverage inevitably zeroed in on the horse race dynamic in a few pivotal states. North Carolina is unquestionably a bellwether this year. “It could tell the whole story tonight if we get a result,” said “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie on NBC News’ “Decision 2020” desk.
Unlike earlier elections, in many states the vast majority of voters cast ballots before Election Day. Some 101 million votes were cast early, and forecasters predicted that a staggering 160 million ballots would be cast in total.
Early results could shift, as Democrats encouraged their voters to cast ballots early while many Republicans held off until Election Day.
Biden has led in national polls throughout the campaign, but has held a narrower lead in the swing states that will determine winner of the Electoral College.