US Presidential Polls: Trump ahead in major battleground states

ABC News has projected that Trump is going to win the crucial Ohio seat.

" Donald Trump is projected to win the battleground state of Ohio as well as Montana and Missouri and Hillary Clinton is projected to win the battleground of Virginia as well as New Mexico," ABC News reported.

Polling for electing the next President of the nation, which commenced on Wednesday, closed at 19:00 on the East Coast (00:00 GMT).

However, it is still open on the West Coast, media reports said.

An election for President of the United States occurs every four years on Election Day, held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

The election process begins with the primary elections and caucuses and moves to nominating conventions, during which political parties each select a nominee to unite behind.

The nominee also announces a Vice Presidential running mate at this time.

The candidates then campaigned across the country to explain their views and plans to voters and participate in debates with candidates from other parties.

During the general election, Americans head to the polls to cast their vote for President. But the tally of those votes—the popular vote—does not determine the winner. Instead, Presidential elections use the Electoral College.

To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes.

In the event no candidate receives the majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President and the Senate chooses the Vice President.

A candidate needs the vote of at least 270 electors—more than half—to win the Presidential election.

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