US election results LIVE: Harris or Trump? Who's winning presidential race as vote-counting begins?

The votes are all in. Millions of Americans formed long lines to cast their ballots while thousands of US expats from around the world, including the UAE, made their voices heard through mailed and online votes.

Now the wait begins. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump notched up early wins on Election Night, November 5, as the first key polls closed in one of the tightest and most volatile elections in US history.

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The outcome — which could be known overnight but may take days — will have momentous consequences, either making Harris the first woman in the world's most powerful job or handing a historic comeback to Trump and his right-wing "America First" agenda.

Here's a snapshot of election results from Reuters, based on a running tally by Edison Research:

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8.25am: Let's look at the Congress

For the first time in history, two Black women will serve at the same time in the Senate, following victories from Democrats Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester in Maryland and Delaware, respectively.

Of the 2,000-plus Americans who have served in the Senate, only three have been Black women — including Harris.

As with polling in the White House contest, the congressional election looks close. Even with Republicans pressing their advantage in the upper chamber, control of the House was expected to be a toss-up.

Jim Justice's victory in West Virginia wiped out the Democrats' 51-49 Senate advantage, leaving Republicans needing just one more gain to take it back, and setting their sights on Montana, Ohio and possibly Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Democrats were looking to mitigate losses with gains in Texas and Florida, but conceded both as the sitting Republicans notched easy wins.

If Republicans win all of the toss-up races, they'll have 55 of the 100 seats, giving them huge power to block Harris's domestic policy should she prevail over Trump, and many of her appointments.

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8.21am: Trump in Idaho, Iowa

Trump was projected to win in Idaho and Iowa, US networks said.

The key battleground states, including Georgia and Pennsylvania, have yet to be called.

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8.18am: California chooses Harris

Harris has won her home state of California, Edison Research projects, gaining its 54 electoral votes — the most of any state.

California has voted overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections since the 1990s. Joe Biden defeated Trump in the state by 30 percentage points in 2020.

Harris also won in the West Coast state of Oregon.

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8.15am: Closing time for last few states

California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii started closing their polling stations at 11pm, US time (8pm, UAE time) — with some closing even later.

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8.08am: Trump, 211; Harris, 153

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7.55am: Swing state Pennsylvania is going for ...

With 60.3 per cent of estimated votes tallied in Pennsylvania:

This is based on an early vote count by Edison Research.

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7.51am: Trump, 207; Harris, 91

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7.41am: So, what are swing states again — and why are they important?

Most US states are predictable, either comfortably Republican or Democratic. They are either red or blue, based on election history.

But seven states are considered 'battleground' because they have a history of alternating between Republican and Democratic candidates. And that's why all eyes are on these states:

Still confused about US elections? Check out an explainer below.

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7.30am: Remember, one can win even with fewer votes

The US elections are NOT like any other voting exercise where you just count the ballots and the candidate with the highest number of votes win. America has a different system.

It follows an electoral college system for the presidential and vice-presidential race. "Electors" are selected for each state and these "electors" cast their votes for the top two positions.

A presidential candidate must obtain an absolute majority of the "electors" — or 270 of the 538 — to win.

Each vote that Americans cast goes to a statewide tally, according to an explainer on the US government's website. "In 48 states and Washington, DC, the winner gets all the electoral votes for that state. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system."

Read more about the system here.

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7.20am: Polls all closed in seven swing states

Voting is done in all seven battleground states that could decide the outcome of this election. Nevada was the last to close at 10pm, US time (7am in UAE). Results for these states, however, are still pending.

Here are the seven swing states, which the world is watching very closely:

Know more about the swing states here.

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7.10am: 'Stay in line' in red and blue

Both presidential candidates reminded American voters to "stay in line" in the final hours of polls.

Here's how Trump said it — in all caps:

And this is Harris:

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7am: New York all lit up!

The Big Apple remains true to its character as the city that never sleeps. Staying up for election night, its skyline dazzled in US colours.

• US presidential election: America may have to wait days to know who won; here's why