Exit polls in the US Presidential election show Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry performing well against President George W Bush in early polling, writes Conor O'Clery, North America Editor.
Nationally, Mr Kerry has a one point lead in the exit polls, which are not allowed to be published by US media until polling closes in the first states at midnight Irish time.
Both sides caution about drawing conclusions, as in 2000, Democrat Mr Al Gore's lead in some exit polls evaporated when the counting got under way.
In the key battle ground states of Pennsylvania, Mr Kerry scores 53-46 per cent over Mr Bush in early polling, in Ohio 51-49 and in Florida 50-49.
Mr Kerry leads 53-45 in New Hampshire, 53-45 in New Jersey, 51-47 in Michigan and 54-44 in Minnesota.
Unusually large numbers of voters turned out today to choose between Mr Bush and Mr Kerry after a deadlocked campaign marked by deep divisions over the war in Iraq, the battle against terrorism and the economy.
First results will not be known until 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (4 a.m. Irish time.) If the results are close, as is expected, a clear winner may not emerge until next week.