Photos: US election 2012

Supporters of US President Barack Obama cheer during his election night rally in Chicago.

Supporters of US President Barack Obama cheer during his election night rally in Chicago.

A technician climbs up to the spotlights as preparations continue ahead of the arrival of US President Barack Obama at his election night rally.

Democratic supporters watch election results in Virginia.

Supporters of US President Barack Obama cheer while watching coverage of the election.

Supporters watch voting returns at the election night rally for US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Boston, Massachusetts.

A Romney supporter looks anxious as she watches election results come in.

The Empire State Building is lit in blue and red to display the presidential race's projected tally of the states' 270 electoral votes on a vertical, LED-lit screen. The blue lights represent vote tallies for Barack Obama and red for Mitt Romney.

People react as they watch coverage of the US Presidential election at the New York Republican State Committee's "Victory Party.

Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson reviews a paper log of the voting records in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Supporters watch voting returns at the election night rally for US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Supporters of US President Barack Obama cheer during his election night rally in Chicago.

US Ambassador David Huebner and partner Dr Duane McWaine at USA election event at Chicago bar in Wellington.

American tourists Bill Anderson and his partner Kathy Hudden at Chicago Bar in Wellington.

US election night in Times Square, New york.

States are marked off at a function in Wellington.

Craig Romney, son of Mitt Romney, listens to star spangled banner at start of election night rally in Boston.

Supporters watch results during Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's election night rally in Boston, Massachusetts.

A man uses a headlamp to see as he scans his vote in a polling site built to service residents of the Queens borough neighborhoods.

Residents look at the National Guard drive through the Rockaway Beach neighbourhood as they stand near a fire listening to the radio for news of the election, while still missing access to power in New York's Queens borough.

A voter passes her 'Voter Authorisation' form to a poll worker in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A large media group awaits US President Barack Obama before his election night rally in Chicago.

An election worker, processes ballots for counting at the Boulder Clerk and Recorder's office.

Charles Durham votes at the Gordies Foundation Barber School during the US presidential election in Chicago.

A woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty poses for photographs during an election party at the US Embassy in London.

Volunteer Pattie Wiedenhoeft sits waiting to hand out voter signs at the Mitt Romney campaign office in Milwaukee.

Voters in the US presidential election at a displaced polling centre in Coney Island.

A supporter takes pictures of the stage at the election night rally for US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Boston.

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the tarmac after arriving in Cleveland, Ohio.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney talks to reporters on his campaign plane.

Residents follow the voting process during the US presidential elections in the ancestral home of President Barack Obama in Nyangoma Kogelo, Kenya.

A woman casts her ballot during the US presidential election at the School Without Walls polling station in Washington.

An election worker checks in voters at the St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Caledonia, Wisconsin.

US President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney make phone calls on election day.

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan visits a campaign office in Virginia.

Voters wait in line at the Ohio Union to cast their ballots.

A US citizen and Obama supporter makes a call prior to a US election party hosted by Democrats Abroad in Berlin, Germany.

People vote at the fire house due to storm damage from Super Storm Sandy at their normal polling stations in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.

A voter leaves the voting booth after casting his ballot for the US presidential election in Philadelphia.

Republican nominee Mitt Romney greets workers in front of a sign reading "Obama Isn't Working".

Barack Obama visits a campaign field office in Chicago.

A security guard shouts directions at people waiting in a line wrapping around a building to vote in New York.

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and presidential candidate Mitt Romney leave a campaign plane during the US presidential election in Cleveland.

President Obama thanks supporters in Chicago on election day.

US voters at Venice Beach lifeguard station in Los Angeles, California.

Mitt Romney makes an impromptu visit to a Wendy's Restaurant on election day.