Long lines formed outside local polling stations, as millions of Americans cast their vote for the next US president.
A line forms outside a voting precinct before it opens in Durham, North CarolinaSara D. Davis/ Getty ImagesVoters wait for polls to open at the Midwest Genealogy Center Library in Independence, MissouriWhitney Curtis/ Getty ImagesPeople wait at a poll station in Chappaqua, New York CityEduardo Munoz Alvarez/ AFPPeople vote at a polling site at Public School 261 in New York CityDrew Angerer/ Getty Images
Voters are having to choose between Hillary Clinton, who has vowed largely to continue the policies of fellow Democrat Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, who has never held public office and seized the spotlight by making provocative comments about Muslims and women, along with bellicose appeals to build a wall along the US' southern border with Mexico. Both candidates have been viewed unfavourably by much of the voting public.
People wait in line to vote at a poll station in Arlington, VirginiaAndrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFPPeople wait in line to vote at a polling station inside of a fire station in Arlington, VirginiaAndrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFPDemocratic US vice presidential candidate Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) casts his ballot at the Hermitage Methodist Home polling station in Richmond, VirginiaCarlos Barria/ ReutersVoters cast their ballots at a polling station at Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, MissouriMichael B Thomas/ Getty ImagesVoters wait in a queue to cast their ballots in the presidential election at a polling station in Christmas, FloridaGregg Newton/ AFPBrigid McAteer, five, sells 'VOTE' cookies as residents go to the polls in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJessica Kourkounis/ Getty ImagesDonald Trump and Hillary Clinton cookies are on sale at the Oakmont Bakery in Oakmont, PennsylvaniaJeff Swensen/ Getty Images
Democrat Hillary Clinton, 69, a former secretary of state and first lady, and Republican Donald Trump, 70, a New York businessman, made their final appeals to supporters on Monday night (7 November) to vote. Their final week of campaigning was a grinding series of get-out-the-vote rallies across battleground states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, where the election is likely to be decided. The presidential race has been largely centred on the character of the candidates. It has been one of the most negative campaigns in American history, with each candidate has accusing the other of lacking the character and judgment to be president.
Last minute preparations are being made for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps' election night party at Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan in New York CityMark Wilson/ Getty ImagesDemocratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to vote in the US presidential election at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New YorkMike Segar/ ReutersDemocratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is surrounded by people as she votes at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New YorJustin Sullivan/ Getty ImagesDemocratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greets supporters after casting her vote in Chappaqua, New YorkEduardo Munoz Alvarez/ AFPVoters line up outside a polling station in Christmas, FloridaGregg Newton/ AFPSigns for candidates are displayed as early morning voters head into the Bishop Leo E. O'Neil Youth Center in Manchester, New HampshireDarren McCollester/ Getty ImagesThe sun rises over the White House in Washington, DCZach Gibson/ Getty Images
