What happens next?

THE American Presidential Election campaign was poised to be a cliffhanger late last night, as a record turnout of voters across American confirmed passions evoked by one of the most divisive elections in US election history.

Last night, a turnout of 121 million voters was being predicted by analysts in Washington, an increase of some 15 million on the 106 million who voted in the 2000 election.

In a clear acknowledgement of the closeness of the contest, especially in the swing states, President George Bush and his Democratic Party rival Senator John Kerry returned to the key battleground state of Ohio, the outcome of which is expected to determine who will win the race for the White House.

Election officials across the country confirmed massive queues had formed outside polling stations, especially in the so-called battleground states, the 10 states where, as of yesterday, either candidate was still in a position to win the state’s electoral votes.

Turnout in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan could be in the order of 70%, boosted by drives by both parties that have resulted in millions of new voters being registered.

In Florida, the turnout of 67% in 2000 looked like being easily overtaken.

In particular, an enormously high turnout among younger voters was being reported.

Democratic strategists pointed to opinion polls, which have consistently shown a clear preference for Mr Kerry among younger voters, who traditionally turn out in low numbers.

However, Republicans countered by saying the party’s own electoral machine had encouraged a record turnout of its supporters, which would more than balance the youth vote phenomenon.

After casting his vote in Crawford Texas yesterday morning, President George Bush visited Columbus in Ohio before returning to Washington DC, where he watched the results come in from his White House office.

No Republican president has won the presidency without winning in Ohio.

“I’m confident we’ll carry Ohio and we’ll carry the nation,” he told reporters. “I’m looking forward to leading the nation for four more years.”

Later he said: “I have seen the enthusiasm and willingness (of our supporters). This election is in the best of hands, in the hands of voters of Ohio and (of voters) around the country.”

Meanwhile, Mr Kerry cast his vote in his home town of Boston. He told reporters whatever the outcome, America would be strong.

“We will be more united and we will move on,” he said, indicating if he wins he will try to reach out to Republicans.

As polling stations closed last night, some commentators were predicting history may repeat itself and the outcome of the election could hinge on Florida, which a raft of opinion polls concluded was too close to call.

Yesterday, there were also isolated reports of intimidation and fraud in swing states with state courts and, in one case, the US Supreme Court, making key rulings yesterday afternoon on electoral processes within states.

“In all honesty, I don’t think it’s possible to predict what’s going to happen,” Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards told NBC’s Today show yesterday. “I think we’re going to see unprecedented turnout.”

With both camps predicting some states might be decided by only a few hundred votes, there were concerns last night that, like in 2000, the official confirmation of the new president may be delayed for days or weeks by challenges from the losing party.