Joe Biden wins Wisconsin: AP
Wisconsin has been called for Joe Biden, according to the AP results tally.
President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, alongside vice-president elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Source: President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, alongside vice-president elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff.
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'Let's give each other a chance': US president-elect Joe Biden calls for unity in moving victory speech
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President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, alongside vice-president elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Source: President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, alongside vice-president elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff.
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Joe Biden breaks record for total votes recieved
I'm sure the 2020 presidential election will go down in history for a lot of reasons, but not least of all because of the record levels of voter turnout.
Democratic challenger Joe Biden has set the record for receiving more votes than any past presidential candidate with more than 70.2 million votes as of 6am on Thursday. Counting is ongoing.
That surpasses former Democrat President Barack Obama's 2008 win, the previous record, by about 300,000 ballots.
Whatever happens today, hopefully this signals a move towards greater voter participation going forward.
Democratic challenger Joe Biden has set the record for receiving more votes than any past presidential candidate with more than 70.2 million votes as of 6am on Thursday. Counting is ongoing.
Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic Party presidential nominee. Source: AAP
That surpasses former Democrat President Barack Obama's 2008 win, the previous record, by about 300,000 ballots.
Whatever happens today, hopefully this signals a move towards greater voter participation going forward.
Millions of votes still to be counted in Pennsylvania
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Kathy Boockvar says there are still millions of votes to be counted in the battleground state, which has a whopping 20 electoral college votes.
"I want to be clear that elections have never been called on election night," she said. "This is a process, and we want to make sure that every single vote of every valid voter is securely and accurately counted."
It is likely a final result in the state will not be delivered on Wednesday, local time.
"We are approaching 50 per cent of the ballots counted," she added.
Pennsylvania was in the spotlight ahead of the election as their laws prevented them from counting the huge numbers of early and postal votes before Election Day, leading to fears of significant delays.
"I want to be clear that elections have never been called on election night," she said. "This is a process, and we want to make sure that every single vote of every valid voter is securely and accurately counted."
It is likely a final result in the state will not be delivered on Wednesday, local time.
"We are approaching 50 per cent of the ballots counted," she added.
Pennsylvania was in the spotlight ahead of the election as their laws prevented them from counting the huge numbers of early and postal votes before Election Day, leading to fears of significant delays.
Here's where we are at
Let's break down where things could go from here.
As it stands, Joe Biden has 227 electoral college seats to Donald Trump's 213. Remember the magic number is 270.
Six battleground states are yet to be called. These are Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada. On the surface, each candidate leads in three states each - but, let's dig a bit deeper.
All but a few hundred votes have been counted in Wisconsin, with a Democratic lead of about 20,000 (a result is expected shortly). If we add Wisconsin to Mr Biden's tally that leaves him with about 238.
In order to make up the the last 32 electoral college votes needed to win the White House, Mr Biden could take Michigan (16 electoral votes), Nevada (six electoral votes), and Arizona (11 electoral votes) - all states where he currently has marginal leads (but this could change any moment).
Donald Trump currently leads by about two percentage points Georgia, but tens of thousands of votes still need to be counted. He is also ahead by about 460,000 votes in Pennsylvania as counting continues.
If we hypothesise that Mr Trump takes Alaska (three electoral votes), Georgia (16 electoral votes), North Carolina (15 electoral votes), and Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes), that gives him only 267.
In short, it's closer than ever but things look marginally better for Mr Biden.
As it stands, Joe Biden has 227 electoral college seats to Donald Trump's 213. Remember the magic number is 270.
Six battleground states are yet to be called. These are Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada. On the surface, each candidate leads in three states each - but, let's dig a bit deeper.
All but a few hundred votes have been counted in Wisconsin, with a Democratic lead of about 20,000 (a result is expected shortly). If we add Wisconsin to Mr Biden's tally that leaves him with about 238.
In order to make up the the last 32 electoral college votes needed to win the White House, Mr Biden could take Michigan (16 electoral votes), Nevada (six electoral votes), and Arizona (11 electoral votes) - all states where he currently has marginal leads (but this could change any moment).
Donald Trump currently leads by about two percentage points Georgia, but tens of thousands of votes still need to be counted. He is also ahead by about 460,000 votes in Pennsylvania as counting continues.
If we hypothesise that Mr Trump takes Alaska (three electoral votes), Georgia (16 electoral votes), North Carolina (15 electoral votes), and Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes), that gives him only 267.
In short, it's closer than ever but things look marginally better for Mr Biden.
'We made history': First gay, black representatives elected to Congress
Democrats Richie Torres and Mondaire Jones have won their race for a seat in the House of Representatives, becoming the first gay, black men to hold the office.
Mr Jones, 33, won his seat in the overwhelmingly Democratic New York's 17th Congressional District. Ahead of the election he explained why he was running: "I’m black and I’m gay and I don’t see people like me in office very often”.
Meanwhile Mr Torres, 32, ran in New York's 15th Congressional District. "Tonight we made history," Mr Torres Tweeted. "It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx."
At 25 years old, Mr Torres also held the honour of being the youngest ever elected official in New York City.
Both Mr Torres and Mr Jones featured in this story by my colleague Evan Young, which takes a look at the Americans hoping to make Congress less "stale, pale, and male".
Mr Jones, 33, won his seat in the overwhelmingly Democratic New York's 17th Congressional District. Ahead of the election he explained why he was running: "I’m black and I’m gay and I don’t see people like me in office very often”.
Meanwhile Mr Torres, 32, ran in New York's 15th Congressional District. "Tonight we made history," Mr Torres Tweeted. "It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx."
At 25 years old, Mr Torres also held the honour of being the youngest ever elected official in New York City.
Both Mr Torres and Mr Jones featured in this story by my colleague Evan Young, which takes a look at the Americans hoping to make Congress less "stale, pale, and male".
Donald Trump to contest Wisconsin results
And just as I published the last post, the Trump campaign has announced they will demand a recount in Wisconsin.
One of the key outstanding states that could make or break the election, Wisconsin allows the loser to contest a result if the difference is less than one per cent - as is currently the case.
Campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement the President was "well within the threshold to request a recount" and would do so immediately.
A recount cannot be formally requested until 10 days after the election.
One of the key outstanding states that could make or break the election, Wisconsin allows the loser to contest a result if the difference is less than one per cent - as is currently the case.
Campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement the President was "well within the threshold to request a recount" and would do so immediately.
A recount cannot be formally requested until 10 days after the election.
All votes but 300 votes counted in Wisconsin, Joe Biden ahead
Wisconsin's Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe says the first vote count in the state is almost complete, with only a about 300 hundred ballots left to go.
Currently, Joe Biden is ahead in Wisconsin by a small margin of about 20,000 votes. Given the close result, it is likely the Trump campaign will request a legal recount.
If Mr Biden is able to hold onto his lead in the state, which appears likely given the small number of votes yet to come, his electoral college tally jumps to 237.
He will then need to secure Arizona (where he currently leads by about four points), Nevada (where he also has a slim lead), plus Michigan, Pennsylvania, or Georgia to get him to 270.
Currently, Joe Biden is ahead in Wisconsin by a small margin of about 20,000 votes. Given the close result, it is likely the Trump campaign will request a legal recount.
If Mr Biden is able to hold onto his lead in the state, which appears likely given the small number of votes yet to come, his electoral college tally jumps to 237.
He will then need to secure Arizona (where he currently leads by about four points), Nevada (where he also has a slim lead), plus Michigan, Pennsylvania, or Georgia to get him to 270.
Donald Trump fears loss in three battleground states
Good morning to all the early birds!
My name is Maani Truu and I'm back on deck to take you through all the major developments of the second day of the US election. We still don't have a clear winner, which means it's going to be another big day.
With results on a knife-edge, President Donald Trump has appeared to concede he could lose three key battleground states - Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan - as he continued his baseless claims of voter fraud.
"They are finding Biden votes all over the place — in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. So bad for our Country," he wrote.
Yesterday evening, AEST, Mr Trump accused the Democrats of voter "fraud" - a claim for which no evidence has been presented - spreading increased fear he would seek to de-legitimise the result.
If Mr Biden was to take home Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan (where results are yet to be called) he would have 284 electoral college votes - more than enough to take the White House.
My name is Maani Truu and I'm back on deck to take you through all the major developments of the second day of the US election. We still don't have a clear winner, which means it's going to be another big day.
With results on a knife-edge, President Donald Trump has appeared to concede he could lose three key battleground states - Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan - as he continued his baseless claims of voter fraud.
"They are finding Biden votes all over the place — in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. So bad for our Country," he wrote.
"They are working hard to make up 500,000 vote advantage in Pennsylvania disappear — ASAP. Likewise, Michigan and others."
Yesterday evening, AEST, Mr Trump accused the Democrats of voter "fraud" - a claim for which no evidence has been presented - spreading increased fear he would seek to de-legitimise the result.
If Mr Biden was to take home Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan (where results are yet to be called) he would have 284 electoral college votes - more than enough to take the White House.
Governor urges caution in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, with a massive 20 electoral college votes, is one of the most keenly-watched states as the election comes down to the wire.
State governor Tom Wolf spoke a short time ago. You can watch his address below:
State governor Tom Wolf spoke a short time ago. You can watch his address below:
... And Donald Trump is not happy
Donald Trump has lashed out as Joe Biden starts to take the slimmest of leads in the crucial states of Wisconsin and Michigan.
The president has blamed "surprise ballot dumps" in key states, further stoking fears that he may seek to de-legitimise the result of the election.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden's campaign manager is sounding more and more upbeat as the counts come in, declaring "we believe we have already won Wisconsin" and "we expect to win Michigan".
The president has blamed "surprise ballot dumps" in key states, further stoking fears that he may seek to de-legitimise the result of the election.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden's campaign manager is sounding more and more upbeat as the counts come in, declaring "we believe we have already won Wisconsin" and "we expect to win Michigan".
Biden takes the lead in Michigan
Joe Biden has taken the lead in a tight race in the crucial swing state of Michigan.
The Democratic candidate is currently leading Donald Trump by 49.3 per cent to 49.1 per cent, as mail-in votes start tallying up from the Democratic stronghold of Detroit.
This amounts to a difference of almost 7000 votes between Mr Biden and Mr Trump. It may not sound like much, but it speaks to a continuing trend of Mr Biden shooting upwards these past few hours.
To emphasise - at this stage it's still too close to call, and it's still difficult to predict when we'll have an answer.
But one thing is certain: Mr Trump is not leading nearly as well as he was five or six hours ago. This race is anyone's game.
The Democratic candidate is currently leading Donald Trump by 49.3 per cent to 49.1 per cent, as mail-in votes start tallying up from the Democratic stronghold of Detroit.
This amounts to a difference of almost 7000 votes between Mr Biden and Mr Trump. It may not sound like much, but it speaks to a continuing trend of Mr Biden shooting upwards these past few hours.
To emphasise - at this stage it's still too close to call, and it's still difficult to predict when we'll have an answer.
But one thing is certain: Mr Trump is not leading nearly as well as he was five or six hours ago. This race is anyone's game.
No Republican official has rebuked Trump's 'fraud' comments
Not a single current Republican elected official has publicly rebuked Donald Trump's "fraud" comments, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman told CNN.
To recap, Donald Trump gave a speech earlier tonight where he claimed his camp "did win this election" and that the result is "a fraud on the American public".
In critical states, mail-in votes that are now being counted are widely expected to favour the Democrats.
Mr Trump's claims of fraud are completely unsubstantiated. Voter fraud is proven to be extremely rare, with a 2017 study pinning the overall rate at less than 0.0009 per cent across the country.
To recap, Donald Trump gave a speech earlier tonight where he claimed his camp "did win this election" and that the result is "a fraud on the American public".
In critical states, mail-in votes that are now being counted are widely expected to favour the Democrats.
Mr Trump's claims of fraud are completely unsubstantiated. Voter fraud is proven to be extremely rare, with a 2017 study pinning the overall rate at less than 0.0009 per cent across the country.
When will we have an answer on Michigan?
It's too early to call Michigan, one of the crucial Rust Belt states where there are still over one million ballots to be counted.
Michigan was long a Democratic stronghold until the 2016 election, which Donald Trump won by a small margin of just over 10,000 votes.
Currently Mr Trump is narrowly leading Joe Biden in the state with 49.8 per cent to 48.5 per cent of votes.
But we're seeing a similar situation to Wisconsin, as mentioned earlier, where a lot of mail-in votes are still yet to be counted. In Michigan's case, many of these remaining votes are coming from the Democratic stronghold of Detroit.
These votes tend to favour Mr Biden, who repeatedly encouraged people to vote by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the Trump campaign urged voters to show up at the polls.
Michigan was long a Democratic stronghold until the 2016 election, which Donald Trump won by a small margin of just over 10,000 votes.
Currently Mr Trump is narrowly leading Joe Biden in the state with 49.8 per cent to 48.5 per cent of votes.
But we're seeing a similar situation to Wisconsin, as mentioned earlier, where a lot of mail-in votes are still yet to be counted. In Michigan's case, many of these remaining votes are coming from the Democratic stronghold of Detroit.
These votes tend to favour Mr Biden, who repeatedly encouraged people to vote by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the Trump campaign urged voters to show up at the polls.
What's going on with Nevada?
We've been hearing a lot about those Rust Belt states all day, but what about dear old Nevada?
Nevada is one of the last remaining states to still be counted. In a pair of tweets, the elections division of the Nevada secretary of state said that all in-person Election Day votes, in-person early votes and mail-in ballots received by Monday had been counted.
Based on these, Joe Biden holds a narrow lead over Donald Trump, with 49.3 per cent to Mr Trump's 48.7 per cent.
Mail-in ballots received after that, as well as provisional ballots, are yet to be counted.
The counting will begin at 9am local time (4am AEDT), so we won't have a definitive result from there for a while. Nevada gets six electoral votes.
Nevada is one of the last remaining states to still be counted. In a pair of tweets, the elections division of the Nevada secretary of state said that all in-person Election Day votes, in-person early votes and mail-in ballots received by Monday had been counted.
Based on these, Joe Biden holds a narrow lead over Donald Trump, with 49.3 per cent to Mr Trump's 48.7 per cent.
Mail-in ballots received after that, as well as provisional ballots, are yet to be counted.
The counting will begin at 9am local time (4am AEDT), so we won't have a definitive result from there for a while. Nevada gets six electoral votes.
Joe Biden is pulling ahead in Wisconsin
Things are still shaking up in Wisconsin, with Joe Biden now ahead of Donald Trump despite the Republican president opening with a healthy lead in this key state.
More than 1.9 million people in Wisconsin cast absentee ballots for the election. Those votes are being counted as we speak.
There's still some time before we have a winner, but Mr Biden is now leading the Republican president at 49.5 per cent to 48.8 per cent.
It's worth remembering there were record numbers of votes cast early - both in-person and by mail - due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats were much more likely to vote early, while Republicans were more likely to vote on election day.
In Wisconsin's case, with all the mail ballots now being counted, that explains why things are suddenly shifting in Mr Biden's favour.
More than 1.9 million people in Wisconsin cast absentee ballots for the election. Those votes are being counted as we speak.
There's still some time before we have a winner, but Mr Biden is now leading the Republican president at 49.5 per cent to 48.8 per cent.
It's worth remembering there were record numbers of votes cast early - both in-person and by mail - due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats were much more likely to vote early, while Republicans were more likely to vote on election day.
In Wisconsin's case, with all the mail ballots now being counted, that explains why things are suddenly shifting in Mr Biden's favour.
Penny Wong and Chris Bowen weigh in on election
Some strong words from Labor politicians Penny Wong and Chris Bowen on the US election debate, and the importance of respecting democracy.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has also weighed in:
As has Wentworth MP Dave Sharma:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to address the results.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has also weighed in:
As has Wentworth MP Dave Sharma:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to address the results.
We're probably not going to have a result tonight
Lost? Exhausted? Desperate for all this diabolical election content to end?
Unfortunately, we're not going anywhere. But here's a quick post to get you up-to-speed.
Joe Biden currently has 238 electoral votes, while Donald Trump has 213. Each candidate needs at least 270 to win the election.
The big decider states will, as anticipated, be Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
We may not know Pennsylvania's result for days yet, with well over one million mail-in ballots to count. While Mr Trump is currently leading here, the mail-in votes are more likely to favour Mr Biden - which means Pennsylvania is still anyone's game.
About three-quarters of votes in Michigan have been reported, with 52 per cent favouring Mr Trump and 46.3 per cent favouring Mr Biden. But there are still hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots to be counted there.
Wisconsin will continue counting throughout the night. So far, with 94 per cent of the votes counted, Mr Trump has 51.1 per cent of the vote to Mr Biden's 47.4 per cent.
Georgia is also significant. The state has not gone Democratic since 1992, but this election has seen some strong support for Mr Biden, with Mr Trump leading at 50.5 per cent to Mr Biden's 48.3 per cent. A total of 92 per cent of votes have been counted.
It's also important to note that Arizona has unexpectedly gone to Mr Biden. This is a big deal, as it basically means Mr Biden only needs to win two of the three Rust Belt states to bag the election. The time and order that these remaining results come in will determine how quickly we have a winner.
But to the dismay of self-appointed pollsters everywhere, it's still too damn soon to predict.
Unfortunately, we're not going anywhere. But here's a quick post to get you up-to-speed.
Joe Biden currently has 238 electoral votes, while Donald Trump has 213. Each candidate needs at least 270 to win the election.
The big decider states will, as anticipated, be Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
We may not know Pennsylvania's result for days yet, with well over one million mail-in ballots to count. While Mr Trump is currently leading here, the mail-in votes are more likely to favour Mr Biden - which means Pennsylvania is still anyone's game.
About three-quarters of votes in Michigan have been reported, with 52 per cent favouring Mr Trump and 46.3 per cent favouring Mr Biden. But there are still hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots to be counted there.
Wisconsin will continue counting throughout the night. So far, with 94 per cent of the votes counted, Mr Trump has 51.1 per cent of the vote to Mr Biden's 47.4 per cent.
Georgia is also significant. The state has not gone Democratic since 1992, but this election has seen some strong support for Mr Biden, with Mr Trump leading at 50.5 per cent to Mr Biden's 48.3 per cent. A total of 92 per cent of votes have been counted.
It's also important to note that Arizona has unexpectedly gone to Mr Biden. This is a big deal, as it basically means Mr Biden only needs to win two of the three Rust Belt states to bag the election. The time and order that these remaining results come in will determine how quickly we have a winner.
But to the dismay of self-appointed pollsters everywhere, it's still too damn soon to predict.
'A naked effort to take away democratic rights': Biden campaign slams Trump speech
The Biden campaign has put out a statement slamming Donald Trump's speech earlier tonight as "outrageous", "unprecedented" and riddled with falsehoods.
"It was outrageous because it is a naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens," the statement said.
"It was unprecedented because never before in our history has a president of the United States sought to strip Americans of their voice in a national election. Having encouraged Republican efforts in multiple states to prevent the legal counting of these ballots before Election Day, now Donald Trump is saying these ballots can’t be counted after Election Day either.
"And it was incorrect because it will not happen. The counting will not stop. It will continue until every duly cast vote is counted. Because that is what our laws — the laws that protect every Americans’ constitutional right to vote — require.
"We repeat what the Vice President said tonight: Donald Trump does not decide the outcome of this election. Joe Biden does not decide the outcome of this election. The American people decide the outcome of this election. And the democratic process must and will continue until its conclusion."
"It was outrageous because it is a naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens," the statement said.
"It was unprecedented because never before in our history has a president of the United States sought to strip Americans of their voice in a national election. Having encouraged Republican efforts in multiple states to prevent the legal counting of these ballots before Election Day, now Donald Trump is saying these ballots can’t be counted after Election Day either.
"And it was incorrect because it will not happen. The counting will not stop. It will continue until every duly cast vote is counted. Because that is what our laws — the laws that protect every Americans’ constitutional right to vote — require.
"We repeat what the Vice President said tonight: Donald Trump does not decide the outcome of this election. Joe Biden does not decide the outcome of this election. The American people decide the outcome of this election. And the democratic process must and will continue until its conclusion."
The Biden campaign has issued a statement blasting Donald Trump's speech. Source: Getty
Biden wins Maine
Joe Biden has won Maine, bagging three electoral votes.
Maine is the only state aside from Nebraska that doesn't operate on a "winner-takes-all" basis; but both congressional districts went to Mr Biden.
Maine is the only state aside from Nebraska that doesn't operate on a "winner-takes-all" basis; but both congressional districts went to Mr Biden.
Voters elected a Republican who died of coronavirus in October
The award for the most bizarre story of the night goes to Rashida Yosufzai, on this North Dakota man who won office despite dying from COVID-19 last month.
David Andahl won the Bismarck-area district on Wednesday (AEDT) despite dying on 5 October after contracting the virus.
His family said the 55-year old died after a short battle with the virus.
Read the full story here.
David Andahl won the Bismarck-area district on Wednesday (AEDT) despite dying on 5 October after contracting the virus.
His family said the 55-year old died after a short battle with the virus.
Read the full story here.
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