When does the US Election 2016 end? Times, polls and how to watch the results in the UK
THE race for the White House is in its final stretch as Election Day 2016 comes to a close.
An already bitter and controversial presidential race shows no sign of calming down, with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton continuing to knock lumps out of each other in the race's final week.
Now, as the contest enters its last leg The Sun is on hand with a guide to who is involved, what's happening tonight, and what the latest polls say ahead of crunch time.
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What will happen if Donald Trump becomes President of the United States?
What happens on election night?
The United States is deciding whether it wants to be "with her" or "great again" as after polls closed across the country.
Presidential Elections are always held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November.
Unlike in the UK, the polls do not all open and close at once because the USA has six different time zones.
Given that the polls are showing Trump and Clinton running a tight race it is unlikely that we will know the result until the early morning of November 9.
When do the results come in?
The first results actually came through early in the morning of November 8 at 5.01am (00.01 ET) – six hours before most of the polls opened.
Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, a village whose small number of residents vote in the middle of the night, kicked things off.
The majority of polls opened at 11am UK time (06.00 ET), and began to close at midnight (19.00 ET). The first projections are now being made, based on the election exit polls.
Those wanting to confirm the result are still in for a long night, though – the vote won’t be ‘called’ by US networks until 4am on November 9 at the earliest (23.00 ET).
How can UK viewers watch the US Election live?
is providing comprehensive live coverage of the US Presidential election through out the evening.
BBC News is also be offering coverage live from Times Square.
For tech-savvy political animals, on its site which was a popular feature of the 2012 election.
Social media giant , in partnership with BuzzFeed News.
And of course The Sun is keeping you up to date with all the latest news and highlights.
Who are the candidates?
Donald Trump: Republican Party
Running mate: Mike Pence
Campaign slogan: Make America Great Again
Party colour: Red
In the red corner we have the bombastic blond billionaire from New York City Donald J. Trump.
Representing the Republican Party The Donald has run on an anti-immigration and pro-gun ticket, promising to "Make America Great Again”.
Initially written off as a joke candidate during the primaries the former Apprentice star and property mogul walloped his rivals to grab himself a spot on the ticket.
His campaign has been coloured by controversy, particularly around allegations of sexual misconduct against women. He has also offended many groups of voters with his confrontational, unflinching rhetoric.
Also known as The Grand Old Party (GOP), Republicans are the more right wing party in the States generally favouring smaller government and personal freedom.
Their last president was George W Bush.
Hillary Clinton: Democratic Party
Running mate: Tim Kaine
Campaign slogan: I'm With Her
Party colour: Blue
In the blue corner we have former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
President Bill Clinton's wife has been at the heart of US politics for almost 30 years and has held several positions of power.
She is the first woman to become either of the main parties’ presidential nominee.
Hillary has run on platform of women's rights, increased gun control and universal healthcare.
Concerns over her physical health dogged her campaign for months and her collapse after the 9/11 memorial service in New York seemed to knock her poll rating.
Recently she has also been badly affected by the email scandal that prompted the FBI to relaunch its investigation into the Democrat.
Clinton tried to win the Democratic nomination eight years ago but lost out to Barack Obama.
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Odds and polls
Polls have fluctuated throughout the campaign and, as the clock ticks on Election Day, there is very little to choose between the candidates.
Even after the FBI probe badly damaged her popularity Clinton remained the narrow favourite to win.
However, Trump has constantly surprised with his resilience and, with experts predicting that “shy Trumpers” could yet hand victory to the Donald, it remains anyone’s race.
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The polls are currently showing Hillary at 46.6 per cent, with her rival at 44.8 per cent.
Stay with The Sun as the Election night drama unfolds.
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