What we know

Polling stations begin closing in US presidential electionPolling stations begin closing in US presidential election

Polling stations have begun closing in Tuesday’s US election as millions of American voters decide whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will be the next president.

The first wave of exit polls has just been released, with voters naming the state of democracy and the economy as the most important issues for them.

Whichever way it goes the result will be historic – either giving America its first woman president or marking a seismic political comeback for Trump.

A high turnout has been predicted, but the outcome may not be known for several days if the results are as close as polls have indicated.

Whoever wins the White House may have their hands tied by Congress, which is also up for grabs in Tuesday’s vote.

Republicans narrowly control the House of Representatives, while Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate.

Opinion polls suggest both chambers could flip the other way.

Among the first places where voting will end is Georgia – one of the seven swing states expected to determine the outcome.

The others are Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.