Election 2016: Voting under way for next president
- Published
Both candidates voted early in an attempt to encourage supporters to do the same
US voters are choosing between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump after a gruelling and rancorous presidential election campaign.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump cast their ballots in New York polling stations, alongside their spouses.
High turnout is being reported across the country with polling stations due to begin closing on the East Coast at 19:00 EST (24:00 GMT).
Mr Trump has again declined to say whether he will accept the results.
"We're going to see how things play out," the Republican candidate told Fox News on Tuesday, while alleging there had been voting irregularities. "I want to see everything honest."
Some polling locations have reported equipment failures and long lines, but they appeared to be routine problems.
Voters in Brooklyn, New York, wait to cast their ballots
Mr Trump filed a suit against the Clark County Registrar of Voters in Nevada, accusing the state of keeping early voting stations open longer than the designated closing time.
But a judge rejected the request, citing concerns about revealing the identities of poll workers.
The Manhattan real estate mogul's lawyers had asked for relevant early ballots not to be mixed with other ballots.
Polling in Nevada shows the race between Mr Trump and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, is extremely tight.
US election: Relive the wild ride in 170 seconds
Mrs Clinton voted at her local polling station in Chappaqua, New York, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, at her side.
The former Secretary of State told reporters: "I know how much responsibility goes with this.
"So many people are counting on the outcome of this election, what it means for our country, and I will do the very best I can if I'm fortunate enough to win today."
Results are expected some time after 23:00 EST (04:00 GMT on Wednesday) once voting ends on the West Coast.
State projections will not be available until polling ends - in most states between 19:00 EST (24:00 GMT) and 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT).
There are signs of a high turnout among Hispanic voters, which is believed to favour Mrs Clinton.
Mr Trump was expected to attract support mainly from white voters without college degrees.
Financial markets and betting exchanges have largely predicted a Clinton win.
48%
Hillary Clinton
44%
Donald Trump
However, Mr Trump has predicted he will pull off an upset victory like Britain's "Brexit" referendum in June to leave the European Union.
On the eve of the vote, opinion polls gave Mrs Clinton a four-point lead over Mr Trump.
A record number of Americans - more than 46 million - voted early by post or at polling stations.
Election day voting began just after midnight in the small New Hampshire village of Dixville Notch, where seven votes were cast - four for Mrs Clinton, two for Mr Trump and one for the libertarian Gary Johnson.
The tiny New Hampshire village of Dixville Notch is the first to vote
All 50 states and Washington DC are voting across six different time zones.
Americans are also voting for Congress.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives - where Republicans currently hold sway - are up for grabs, though it is forecast to remain in Republican hands.
But a third of seats in the Senate, which is also in Republican hands, are also in play, and Democrats hope to snatch control of that chamber.
US election 2016: The Florida county that predicts presidents
Election day follows a bitter campaign during which the candidates have traded insults and become mired in a slew of scandals.
On Sunday Mrs Clinton's campaign received a boost when the FBI said newly discovered emails sent by an aide showed no evidence of criminality.
Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton are seeking to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama.
After two four-year terms in the White House, he is barred by the US constitution from running for re-election.
US election: The essentials
Predict the president
