MNI POLICY: US Vote Too Close To Call, May Be Days For Result

With polls closed across the U.S., the race for the White House remains too close to call, with the pre-vote opinion polls once again having underestimated support for incumbent, President Donald Trump. With many networks projecting Republican Trump will win in Florida and hold Texas, it seems the best path to victory for Democrat challenger Joe Biden remains through the rust belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin -- although a win in Arizona could afford him the luxury of losing Pa, his childhood home state.

It is unclear when the result may be finally known, particularly if it comes down to Pennsylvania, where early ballots are only counted once the polls close and could take days to add and collate. Michigan also could take some time, with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson saying results are not likely to be available until Wednesday evening at the earliest.

Trump told supporters that day had returned a "phenomenal" set of election results, adding "we were all ready to celebrate". He said we are "up 690'000" votes in Pennsylvania, almost but not quite claiming a win there and discounting any postal vote yet to be counted,

He would not allow the disenfranchisement of his 'millions' of voters, saying 'we won't let them get away with it', calling counting "new" votes a 'fraud' on the American people. "Frankly, we did win this election," he said, noting that his legal team would go to the Supreme Court to halt the count of "new" votes.

Standing alongside Trump in the White House, VP Mike Pence was less pugilistic, saying votes must be counted, although vigilance would remain, adding that the right to vote was a keystone of American democracy.

"ON TRACK"

Earlier, Biden told supporters "We believe we are on track to win this election," although he noted it may take some time to count all the votes due to the huge numbers of 'early' votes.

Biden, speaking in his now home state of Delaware, claimed he will win Pennsylvania, saying results may be known by Wednesday, but could take a little longer.

President Trump tweeted he would speak later, but as of 0630GMT, had not appeared and deleted one tweet he published warning again of a "stolen" election.

According to CNN's projections at 0645GMT, Biden had secured 220 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory, with President Trump on 213.