President Barack Obama has been
re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
With
results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the
270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.
Mr
Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a
well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.
Many
states are still reporting results, and Mr Obama's margin of victory was not
yet certain.
The
president won solid Democratic states and a number of swing states. His narrow
victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed the victory.
Mr
Romney won North Carolina and Indiana, two states Mr Obama won in 2008, as well
as the solid Republican states. But he was unable to win in Ohio or other
states needed to breach the 270 threshold.
Several
swing states, including Florida and Virginia, have yet to report results.