Trump and Harris hold final rallies ahead of polling day

Americans will head to the polls today to decide whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump is the next president of the United States.

In one of tightest presidential races in history , the result is likely to be a photo finish with both candidates tied neck and neck in the seven key battleground states that are likely to swing the election.

Early voting figures favour Trump, with Republicans outvoting registered Democrats in the early exit polls across two-thirds of states. It marks the first time the GOP has taken the lead with early voters since at least 2008, with the system traditionally favouring Democrats.

As voters go to the polls, the country is on red alert over concerns about election interference and potential disturbances. Snipers have been stationed on the roofs of polling stations in Arizona, while election officials in Colorado have ordered bulletproof vests and installed bullet proof glass at polling stations.

In the nation's capital, as shopkeepers board up their windows, Washington DC police have announced that drones and police helicopters will be on patrol as the nation braces itself for potential unrest on polling day.

The results of a raft of states are expected to be called as soon as polls close at around 7pm on Tuesday evening . However, if the previous election is anything to go by, it could take several days for the overall result to be called. In 2016, it took four days for Pennsylvania to be called for President Biden in a knife edge result that handed him the White House.

Polls open in Vermont as election day begins

Polling stations have opened in Vermont, with election day officially underway.

The majority of polling stations open an hour later at 6am (1100 GMT) on the US east coast where tens of millions of voters are expected to cast their ballots.

More than 82 million people have already voted early through in person or mail-in ballots.

The New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch which consists of six voters also submitted their ballots just after midnight in accordance with a tradition dating back to the 1960s.

Harris goes door-knocking in Pennsylvania night before election

Kamala Harris joined campaigners in Pennsylvania on Monday night in a last-ditch effort to encourage voters to the polls in the key battleground state.

The vice president stopped off in a residential village in Reading where she was filmed warmly greeting a couple, who she hugged and shook hands with on the door.

"I just wanted to come by and say, 'I hope to earn your vote,'" Harris said. "Voted already," the woman responded. Harris posted the video on X, writing: "Took some time today to hear from voters in Pennsylvania and ask for their support. There's still time to join us on the doors."

Russia seeking to 'instil fear in voters', US intelligence finds

Russia is seeking to "undermine public confidence in the integrity of US elections and stoke divisions among Americans," US intelligence chiefs have warned.

In a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, intelligence bosses said "activities will intensify through election day and in the coming weeks, and that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states".

The statement continued: "Russia is the most active threat. Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake s to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instil fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences."

Iran was also complicit, the agencies said, claiming it "conducted malicious cyber activities to compromise former President Trump's campaign".

Harris: 'Every single vote matters'

Kamala Harris urged Americans to vote in one of the "closest races in history" as she gave her final campaign speech in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

"Just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetimes and the momentum is one our side," she said in Philadelphia.

"This could be one of the closest races in history - every single vote matters."

Trump campaign finishes with two-hour speech

Donald Trump has closed his presidential campaign with a two-hour long speech that started after midnight on Monday.

The former President made his final bid to supporters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, vowing to crack down on illegal immigration and impose hefty tariffs on imported goods - including a 60 per cent levy on Chinese imports.

He was also joined on stage by his children Tiffany, Eric and Donald Jr and their spouses, who gave speeches backing their father.

Trump said he attended more than 900 rallies this year.

Trump says he's running against 'evil Democrat system'

Donald Trump has insisted that his real opponent in the election is not Kamala Harris but the "evil Democrat system".

"We will defeat the corrupt system in Washington. Because I'm not running against Kamala, I'm running against an evil Democrat system. These are evil people," he said.

Trump was addressing supporters in his final presidential rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a speech that started well after midnight.

He told the crowd: "This has been an incredible journey and it's very sad in a way, because, you know, we've done all these, and this is the last one. But here's the good news, all we were doing is putting ourselves in a position to win, which we can do tomorrow very easily if we show up,"

JD Vance calls Harris 'trash'

JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, has referred to Kamala Harris as "trash", telling supporters that the vice president has "disrespect" and "even hatred" for some Americans.

Speaking in Atlanta on Monday, Vance told the rally: "In two days, we're going to take out the trash, and the trash's name is Kamala Harris."

The vice presidential nominee also cited Joe Biden's comments over the weekend where the president suggested Trump supporters were "garbage". Biden had been responding to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's comments at a Trump rally calling Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."

Pictured: Harris campaigns with family in Pennsylvania

Joe Rogan endorses Donald Trump

Joe Rogan, the controversial host of America's most popular podcast, has given his endorsement to Donald Trump.

Rogan, in a post on X promoting his interview with prominent Trump supporter Elon Musk for The Joe Rogan Experience, said the Tesla boss made a compelling case for the Republican, adding: "I agree with him every step of the way."

"For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump," he added.

Earlier in the campaign, Trump sat down for a three-hour-long interview with Rogan.

Rogan previously backed prominent left-wing politician Bernie Sanders in the 2020 race.

Trump: 'Kamala broke it. I will fix it'

Donald Trump used his final campaign rally in Michigan to promise voters he could solve all of America's ills if he is elected.

"A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper," the former President said. "Your pay cheques will be higher, your streets will be safer, your communities will be richer, and your future will be brighter than ever before."

Trump has repeatedly vowed to stop inflation and increase energy production to lower prices.

"Kamala broke it. I will fix it," he concluded, repeating his campaign's closing message.

Who is leading the polls in each swing state?

While polling suggests Trump holds a narrow lead in the sun belt states of Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina, Ms Harris appears to have the edge in Michigan and Wisconsin, according to data from 538.

The two candidates remain tied in Nevada and Pennsylvania, the most important of the battleground states, and the ones which many believe will decide who clinches victory.

New Hampshire town announces first result of election

The first results of the presidential election have been announced as the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch.

The unincorporated township on the border with Canada opens and closes its polls just after midnight each election day in a tradition dating back to 1960.

Four registered Republicans and two undeclared voters participate each year, heading to the polls at midnight on the eve of the final day of voting before the results are declared.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tied with three votes each.

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as Americans head to the polls to decide whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump is the next president of the United States.

We'll be bringing you all the latest updates, analysis and commentary throughout the day.