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Clinton boosted as election hits final day

The FBI has again exonerated Hillary Clinton of criminal conduct on her emails following a fresh inquiry into the Democratic candidate's communications.

A letter from FBI director James Comey to Congress
The FBI Director has announced that Hillary Clinton shouldn't face charges relating to new emails. (AAP)

3 min read

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Source: AAP


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Democrat Hillary Clinton heads into the final day of a tight White House race against Republican Donald Trump with new momentum after the FBI's announcement that no criminal charges were forthcoming in the probe of her email practices.

Both Clinton and Trump will spend the day racing across a handful of key battleground states that could swing Tuesday's election, which polls show is extremely close but tilting toward Clinton.

FBI Director James Comey sent shockwaves through the race by telling Congress on Sunday that investigators had worked "around the clock" to complete a review of newly discovered emails and found no reason to change their July finding that Clinton was not guilty of criminal wrongdoing in her use of a private email server while secretary of state.

Whether the announcement came in time to change minds or undo any damage from days of Republican attacks on Clinton as corrupt was uncertain. Tens of millions of Americans had cast early votes in the 10 days since Comey first told Congress of the newly discovered emails.

Clinton's Democratic allies hoped the FBI finding would be enough to push her over the finish line and end the uncertainty and Republican attacks on her character that dogged her campaign for the last 10 days.

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"The FBI's swift and thorough review should finally close the door on this Republican sideshow," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said, adding the election would now be decided "on the merits of the candidates" rather than innuendo.

But Republicans kept up their criticism of Clinton despite Comey's announcement.

Trump insisted at a rally in Detroit that it would have been impossible for the FBI to review what has been reported to be as many as 650,000 emails in so short a time.

He claims she's being protected by "a rigged system."

Trump said: "Hillary Clinton is guilty. She knows it, The FBI knows it. The people know it."

He says it's now up to "the American people to deliver justice at the ballot box on November 8."

Markets have tended to see Clinton as the status quo candidate, and news favouring her bid often boosts investors' risk appetite. Global financial markets slipped last week as opinion polls showed the presidential race tightening.

Clinton did not mention the FBI finding during her last two campaign events on Sunday.

On Monday, Trump will hit five battleground states - Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Michigan - and closes with a late-night rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Clinton will make two stops in Pennsylvania and visit Michigan before wrapping up with a midnight rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. Earlier, she will appear at an evening rally at Philadelphia's Independence Hall with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, as well as rock star Bruce Springsteen.


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