skynewsus--2020-11-02--US diplomat denied 'virtual' trial over Harry Dunn death

The alleged killer of Harry Dunn is being urged to surrender to a UK court , for a `` proper trial '' .
Nineteen-year-old Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year .
Lawyers acting on behalf of Anne Sacoolas admitted the 43-year-old had been driving on the wrong side of the road for around 20 seconds before the collision .
Initially a virtual trial had been discussed but Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands Janine Smith has told representatives of the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not surrender to the court nor accept the court 's powers '' .
She said the CPS believed there was no other way for Sacoolas to surrender `` apart from ... physically returning to the jurisdiction '' .
Her words come despite a letter sent on behalf of US President Donald Trump to the family 's constituency MP Andrea Leadsom , in which the US Embassy said it was its `` sincere hope '' the CPS would make proposals for a virtual trial to Sacoolas 's lawyers .
Ms Smith told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the suspect , which was rejected by the US State Department in January , was no longer live .
She added that , if the family was to win its court battle over the diplomatic immunity asserted on behalf of Sacoolas , the CPS `` may be able to consider making a further request for extradition '' .
In a letter to the Dunn family 's representatives , Ms Smith said : `` We have recently written again to the lawyers representing Anne Sacoolas , explaining the next step in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction of the court .
`` We confirmed to them that we do not wish to stand in the way of commencing and concluding the criminal proceedings but a proper trial would need to take place .
`` We explained to them that we will consider ways and opportunities to move this case forward but this can only be on the basis that Anne Sacoolas surrenders to the jurisdiction of the UK court . ''
Sacoolas was able to leave the UK 19 days after the crash after the US government asserted diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has contested the decision and the High Court will determine whether the suspect was entitled to immunity later this month .
Updating the family about the prospect of a virtual trial , Ms Smith continued : `` When we spoke of a virtual trial at our meeting with you , the ( Director of Public Prosecutions ) explained that the coronavirus legislation was introduced specifically to deal with cases during the pandemic and it was n't intended that the legislation would allow suspects to appear from another country .
`` As we explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Anne Sacoolas would not surrender to the court nor accept the court 's powers .
`` We have not been able to identify any other method , apart from Anne Sacoolas physically returning to the jurisdiction , by which her surrendering to the court could be achieved . ''
Ms Smith added : `` As you know , the extradition request was issued and refused by the US Secretary of State on the basis of diplomatic immunity .
`` The request is no longer live but , following the Judicial Review , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to consider making a further request for extradition . ''
Reacting to the CPS 's letter , the family 's spokesman Radd Seiger said : `` Having seen this latest letter from the chief prosecutor , Harry 's parents are just grateful that the CPS are doing their job .
`` They are clearly doing it very well and they were very clear when we met with them on September 9 that the virtual trial which was being proposed would not deliver justice .
`` This case is all about justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The CPS remain intent on ensuring that Mrs Sacoolas comes back to the UK to answer the charges laid against her .
`` That has been the parents ' position from the outset and that is precisely what must happen . ''
Sacoolas 's lawyers and the CPS have been approached for comment .

The alleged killer of Harry Dunn is being urged to surrender to a UK court, for a "proper trial".
Nineteen-year-old Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Anne Sacoolas admitted the 43-year-old had been driving on the wrong side of the road for around 20 seconds before the collision.
Initially a virtual trial had been discussed but Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands Janine Smith has told representatives of the man's family that would mean Sacoolas "would not surrender to the court nor accept the court's powers".
She said the CPS believed there was no other way for Sacoolas to surrender "apart from... physically returning to the jurisdiction".
Her words come despite a letter sent on behalf of US President Donald Trump to the family's constituency MP Andrea Leadsom, in which the US Embassy said it was its "sincere hope" the CPS would make proposals for a virtual trial to Sacoolas's lawyers.
Ms Smith told the family's representatives that an extradition request for the suspect, which was rejected by the US State Department in January, was no longer live.
She added that, if the family was to win its court battle over the diplomatic immunity asserted on behalf of Sacoolas, the CPS "may be able to consider making a further request for extradition".
In a letter to the Dunn family's representatives, Ms Smith said: "We have recently written again to the lawyers representing Anne Sacoolas, explaining the next step in this case is for her to surrender to the jurisdiction of the court.
Advertisement
Image: The Prime Minister lobbied the US Secretary of State about the Dunn case
"We confirmed to them that we do not wish to stand in the way of commencing and concluding the criminal proceedings but a proper trial would need to take place.
"We explained to them that we will consider ways and opportunities to move this case forward but this can only be on the basis that Anne Sacoolas surrenders to the jurisdiction of the UK court."
Sacoolas was able to leave the UK 19 days after the crash after the US government asserted diplomatic immunity on her behalf.
The family has contested the decision and the High Court will determine whether the suspect was entitled to immunity later this month.
Updating the family about the prospect of a virtual trial, Ms Smith continued: "When we spoke of a virtual trial at our meeting with you, the (Director of Public Prosecutions) explained that the coronavirus legislation was introduced specifically to deal with cases during the pandemic and it wasn't intended that the legislation would allow suspects to appear from another country.
"As we explained in the meeting, we are concerned that Anne Sacoolas would not surrender to the court nor accept the court's powers.
"We have not been able to identify any other method, apart from Anne Sacoolas physically returning to the jurisdiction, by which her surrendering to the court could be achieved."
Ms Smith added: "As you know, the extradition request was issued and refused by the US Secretary of State on the basis of diplomatic immunity.
"The request is no longer live but, following the Judicial Review, depending on the outcome, we may be able to consider making a further request for extradition."
Reacting to the CPS's letter, the family's spokesman Radd Seiger said: "Having seen this latest letter from the chief prosecutor, Harry's parents are just grateful that the CPS are doing their job.
"They are clearly doing it very well and they were very clear when we met with them on September 9 that the virtual trial which was being proposed would not deliver justice.
"This case is all about justice and upholding the rule of law.
"The CPS remain intent on ensuring that Mrs Sacoolas comes back to the UK to answer the charges laid against her.
"That has been the parents' position from the outset and that is precisely what must happen."
Sacoolas's lawyers and the CPS have been approached for comment.


skynewsus--2020-10-27--When will we know the US election result - and could there be delays?

The coronavirus pandemic has seen an unprecedented number of voters register to cast their ballot by mail - raising the very real possibility that we may not know who has won the US election for several days .
In 2016 , Donald Trump was declared the winner of Wisconsin at 7.29am UK time on the day after polls closed , putting him over the magic 270 Electoral College votes he needed .
If the contest between Mr Trump and Joe Biden is not close and one of the candidates wins comfortably , we could expect to find out the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be a more drawn-out election .
Postal ballots take longer to count - and if battleground states can not be called , or there are legal challenges on state counts , we could be in for a long night ( or week ) .
When will we know ?
We will get early results after the polls have closed in each state , which will give an indication of where the candidates stand .
They may not include mail-in ballots though , as this depends on when officials can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon , Utah and Washington are holding all-mail elections .
Here 's when the polls close elsewhere : So how do you win the presidential election ?
Americans do n't actually vote directly for who they want to be president and vice president .
Instead , they vote for `` electors '' - members of the Electoral College - who back their choice of candidate for those roles .
Each state has a number of electors depending on its population .
California , which has a population of nearly 40 million , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while North Dakota , home to about 762,000 people , has just three votes .
There are a total of 538 electors in total - 435 representatives from Congress , 100 Senators and three additional voters from the District of Columbia .
Most states operate a winner-takes-all system , so if a candidate wins the most votes in a state , they get all the Electoral College votes .
The first candidate to 270 Electoral College votes wins the presidency .
The only exceptions are in Maine and Nebraska .
Maine has four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winner of the statewide vote , and one vote each goes to the winner in each of its two congressional districts .
Nebraska has five votes .
Again , two are given to the statewide winner , and one each to its three congressional districts .
The US Constitution does not require electors to follow the popular vote , but many US states have laws requiring them to do so .
In 2016 , we had the phenomenon of `` faithless electors '' - defying who they pledged to vote for .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defected from Mrs Clinton , with all voting for people not on the ballot .
In July , the US Supreme Court ruled that electors must follow the popular vote in states that have passed laws requiring them to do so .
What should we look for ?
Most US states typically lean towards the Republicans or the Democrats .
But every presidential election , there are about 12 states that tip the balance towards one candidate - these are known as the battleground states or swing states .
This year , Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decide the White House race are Arizona , Georgia , Florida , Iowa , Minnesota , Michigan , Wisconsin , North Carolina , Texas , Nevada , Pennsylvania and Ohio .
There are 195 Electoral College votes going in these 12 crucial states .
Minnesota and Nevada are currently defended by the Democrats , and the other 10 by the Republicans .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Assuming traditionally Democrat states vote the same way as expected , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require another 54 to reach 270 .
Mr Trump is defending 127 votes , again assuming previously Republican states stay the same .
That means he needs 143 more to win .
Keep your eyes on where those 12 swing states are going - particularly Florida , Georgia , Ohio and Pennsylvania .
The pandemic means millions of Americans have decided to avoid standing in long queues to vote , and have switched to mail-in ballots .
The huge increase in use of mail-in ballots means it is much more likely this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early on could fall behind once later votes are counted .
Then there is the likely delay in counting ballots .
Some states accept mail-in votes that were postmarked on election day , but received afterwards - including battleground states North Carolina and Texas .
And simply verifying the ballots - requiring someone to match the affidavit signature on the outside of the envelope to that of the voter held on record - adds time to the process .
In states that heavily lean one way - such as California for the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay in getting the final results will likely not prevent the presidential race from being called in those states .
But battleground states including Pennsylvania and Michigan have eased rules on mail-in ballots because of the unprecedented demand .
This means we could see delays - and one candidate may not be able to amass 270 Electoral College votes for some time .
Many states allow the verification process on votes to start before election day , as long as the ballots are not counted and no totals are released before polls close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
How long could the delay be ?
With some states allowing votes to be counted even if they are received after 3 November , this year 's election could be an extended one .
Each state must begin to certify its results from 10 November , although that could be delayed if there is a recount .
Every state except California must have certified its result by 8 December .
Those electors then cast their votes on 14 December and send them to Washington DC .
The last time the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W Bush was only confirmed as the winner of the election following a Supreme Court ruling to end recounts in Florida a month after the election .
The state had been called for both Mr Bush and Al Gore at various points .
Mr Trump has refused to say whether he will accept the outcome of the election , and has hinted that the outcome might have to be settled by the Supreme Court .
He has also repeatedly claimed that the increase in mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Trump has also called for the federal court system to ensure the winner of the election is called just hours after polls close , despite the rules allowing mail-in ballots to be counted days afterwards .
A close count in key battleground states could result in litigation over voting and ballot counting procedures .
Those cases could eventually reach in the US Supreme Court as they did in 2000 , with George W Bush prevailing over Mr Gore by just 537 votes in Florida .
Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6-3 conservative majority in America 's highest court , which could favour Mr Trump if it is required to weigh in on a contested election .
What if there 's a tie ?
In the unlikely event both candidates finish with 269 Electoral College votes , it 's up to Congress to decide who is in the White House .
This is known as a `` contingent election '' , and also applies if neither can get 270 votes .
The House would vote on the president .
Each of the 50 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three candidates who received the most popular votes .
A majority of 26 would be needed to win .
Bear in mind the Democrats currently hold the majority in the House , but they 're all up in elections on 3 November .
The Senate would decide who the vice president is .
Each senator would have a vote on the two candidates with the most popular votes , with a majority of 51 needed to win .
The Republicans currently hold the Senate control , but again a third are up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions would have to be completed by 20 January , when the Constitution determines that the term of the current president ends .
Under the Presidential Succession Act , if Congress still has n't determined a presidential or vice presidential winner by then , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would serve as acting president .
There have only been three contingent elections - in 1800 , 1824 and 1836 .
What else is at stake ?
It 's not just the presidential and vice presidential race that is up for grabs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to Mr Trump and Mr Biden .
Voters will also be deciding on members of Congress and some of the Senate seats are also up for election on 3 November .
All 435 seats in the House are being contested .
Currently the Democrats have control of the House with 232 seats , and will be looking to maintain control .
The Republicans hold 197 , there is one Libertarian and currently five vacancies after resignations or deaths of representatives .
Some 33 of the Senate seats are being contested in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently , with 53 seats , and the Democrats have 45 .
Two independent senators currently side with the Democrats .
In the event of a tie in the Senate - the vice president tips the balance to his or her party .

The coronavirus pandemic has seen an unprecedented number of voters register to cast their ballot by mail - raising the very real possibility that we may not know who has won the US election for several days.
In 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner of Wisconsin at 7.29am UK time on the day after polls closed, putting him over the magic 270 Electoral College votes he needed.
If the contest between Mr Trump and Joe Biden is not close and one of the candidates wins comfortably, we could expect to find out the result at a similar time.
But this is expected to be a more drawn-out election. Postal ballots take longer to count - and if battleground states cannot be called, or there are legal challenges on state counts, we could be in for a long night (or week).
When will we know?
We will get early results after the polls have closed in each state, which will give an indication of where the candidates stand.
They may not include mail-in ballots though, as this depends on when officials can start counting them.
Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington are holding all-mail elections. Here's when the polls close elsewhere:
So how do you win the presidential election?
Americans don't actually vote directly for who they want to be president and vice president.
Instead, they vote for "electors" - members of the Electoral College - who back their choice of candidate for those roles.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
Each state has a number of electors depending on its population.
California, which has a population of nearly 40 million, has 55 votes in the Electoral College - while North Dakota, home to about 762,000 people, has just three votes.
There are a total of 538 electors in total - 435 representatives from Congress, 100 Senators and three additional voters from the District of Columbia.
Most states operate a winner-takes-all system, so if a candidate wins the most votes in a state, they get all the Electoral College votes.
The first candidate to 270 Electoral College votes wins the presidency.
The only exceptions are in Maine and Nebraska.
Maine has four electoral votes - two are given to the winner of the statewide vote, and one vote each goes to the winner in each of its two congressional districts. Nebraska has five votes. Again, two are given to the statewide winner, and one each to its three congressional districts.
The US Constitution does not require electors to follow the popular vote, but many US states have laws requiring them to do so.
In 2016, we had the phenomenon of "faithless electors" - defying who they pledged to vote for. Two defected from Mr Trump and five defected from Mrs Clinton, with all voting for people not on the ballot.
In July, the US Supreme Court ruled that electors must follow the popular vote in states that have passed laws requiring them to do so.
What should we look for?
Most US states typically lean towards the Republicans or the Democrats.
But every presidential election, there are about 12 states that tip the balance towards one candidate - these are known as the battleground states or swing states.
This year, Sky News believes the 12 key states that will decide the White House race are Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
There are 195 Electoral College votes going in these 12 crucial states. Minnesota and Nevada are currently defended by the Democrats, and the other 10 by the Republicans.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Assuming traditionally Democrat states vote the same way as expected, Joe Biden would stand on 216 votes and would require another 54 to reach 270.
Mr Trump is defending 127 votes, again assuming previously Republican states stay the same. That means he needs 143 more to win.
Keep your eyes on where those 12 swing states are going - particularly Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
What's changed this time?
The pandemic means millions of Americans have decided to avoid standing in long queues to vote, and have switched to mail-in ballots.
The huge increase in use of mail-in ballots means it is much more likely this time around that the candidate who is leading early on could fall behind once later votes are counted.
Then there is the likely delay in counting ballots.
Some states accept mail-in votes that were postmarked on election day, but received afterwards - including battleground states North Carolina and Texas.
And simply verifying the ballots - requiring someone to match the affidavit signature on the outside of the envelope to that of the voter held on record - adds time to the process.
In states that heavily lean one way - such as California for the Democrats or Utah for the Republicans - a delay in getting the final results will likely not prevent the presidential race from being called in those states.
But battleground states including Pennsylvania and Michigan have eased rules on mail-in ballots because of the unprecedented demand. This means we could see delays - and one candidate may not be able to amass 270 Electoral College votes for some time.
Many states allow the verification process on votes to start before election day, as long as the ballots are not counted and no totals are released before polls close. This could help speed the process up.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:06 Why does the Supreme Court nominee matter?
How long could the delay be?
With some states allowing votes to be counted even if they are received after 3 November, this year's election could be an extended one.
Each state must begin to certify its results from 10 November, although that could be delayed if there is a recount. Every state except California must have certified its result by 8 December.
Those electors then cast their votes on 14 December and send them to Washington DC.
The last time the result wasn't clear? In 2000, George W Bush was only confirmed as the winner of the election following a Supreme Court ruling to end recounts in Florida a month after the election. The state had been called for both Mr Bush and Al Gore at various points.
Mr Trump has refused to say whether he will accept the outcome of the election, and has hinted that the outcome might have to be settled by the Supreme Court.
He has also repeatedly claimed that the increase in mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud. There is no evidence to support this. Mr Trump has also called for the federal court system to ensure the winner of the election is called just hours after polls close, despite the rules allowing mail-in ballots to be counted days afterwards.
A close count in key battleground states could result in litigation over voting and ballot counting procedures.
Those cases could eventually reach in the US Supreme Court as they did in 2000, with George W Bush prevailing over Mr Gore by just 537 votes in Florida.
Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation as a Supreme Court justice has created a 6-3 conservative majority in America's highest court, which could favour Mr Trump if it is required to weigh in on a contested election.
Image: Sky News US election coverage
What if there's a tie?
In the unlikely event both candidates finish with 269 Electoral College votes, it's up to Congress to decide who is in the White House. This is known as a "contingent election", and also applies if neither can get 270 votes.
The House would vote on the president. Each of the 50 states would have a single vote from the three candidates who received the most popular votes. A majority of 26 would be needed to win.
Bear in mind the Democrats currently hold the majority in the House, but they're all up in elections on 3 November.
The Senate would decide who the vice president is. Each senator would have a vote on the two candidates with the most popular votes, with a majority of 51 needed to win.
The Republicans currently hold the Senate control, but again a third are up for election so that could change.
Those decisions would have to be completed by 20 January, when the Constitution determines that the term of the current president ends.
Under the Presidential Succession Act, if Congress still hasn't determined a presidential or vice presidential winner by then, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would serve as acting president.
There have only been three contingent elections - in 1800, 1824 and 1836.
What else is at stake?
It's not just the presidential and vice presidential race that is up for grabs, although most of the attention is locked on to Mr Trump and Mr Biden.
Voters will also be deciding on members of Congress and some of the Senate seats are also up for election on 3 November.
All 435 seats in the House are being contested. Currently the Democrats have control of the House with 232 seats, and will be looking to maintain control. The Republicans hold 197, there is one Libertarian and currently five vacancies after resignations or deaths of representatives.
Some 33 of the Senate seats are being contested in 2020 too. The Republicans control the Senate currently, with 53 seats, and the Democrats have 45. Two independent senators currently side with the Democrats. In the event of a tie in the Senate - the vice president tips the balance to his or her party.


skynewsus--2020-11-02--Trump warns of 'violence in the streets' as US presidential vote reaches crunch time

Donald Trump has warned of `` violence in the streets '' as voters head to the polls and decide whether he should stay in the White House or become the first one-term US president in decades .
Despite a record nearly 99 million Americans having already cast their ballot , Tuesday 3 November is the final stretch of a marathon campaign for incumbent Republican and his Democrat challenger Joe Biden .
Staff from the Department of Justice have been dispatched to 18 states to try to curb voter suppression or intimidation , as the high-stakes campaign finally nears its end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the polls begin to close at around midnight UK time .
Both campaigns are gearing up for tight-fought races in swing states where the polls either give one candidate a marginal lead or say it is too close to call .
Mr Trump hit out in a late-night tweet on Monday at a Supreme Court decision to allow mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania to be counted up to three days after the election .
He said it was `` VERY dangerous '' , adding : `` It will allow rampant and unchecked cheating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
It will also induce violence in the streets .
Something must be done ! ''
Twitter quickly moved in to censor the tweet , adding a clarification for users which said : `` Some or all of the content shared in this tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process . ''
With some votes and results heavily delayed by the large numbers of ballots submitted by post due to the coronavirus pandemic , Mr Trump may try to capitalise on initial early success among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn out .
This outcome has become known as a `` red mirage '' .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker But Mr Biden 's team are pushing back , sending out last-minute fundraising emails for the legal battles they may have to launch if they judge the US president has unfairly claimed a win too early .
`` Under no scenario will Donald Trump be declared a victor on election night , '' the challenger 's campaign manager declared on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Trump and Mr Biden on Wednesday , as they toured the `` toss up '' states both are hoping to win to top up their Electoral College votes and secure them the crucial 270 needed .
Mr Trump visited North Carolina , his opponent 's birthplace of Scranton in Pennsylvania , as well as Wisconsin and two trips to Michigan .
He is bullish about his chances of holding on to seats he won with small margins in 2016 .
While Mr Biden headed for Ohio and three events across Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April 2019 : `` If I 'm going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020 , it 's going to happen here . ''
Former president Barack Obama was also dispatched to Georgia and Florida - two tight races that would yield prizes of 16 and 29 electoral college votes , respectively .
Speaking after his final campaign events , Mr Trump said : `` It 's been an amazing day .
It 's been an amazing two days .
`` I do n't think anybody has ever seen crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good results from early voting and from ballots .
And we 'll have to see how it all works out .
We wo n't know for a little while . ''
While Mr Biden commented at the end of his events : `` I have a feeling we are coming together for a big win . ''
Asked about the president 's prediction of violence , he concluded : `` I 'm hoping for a straightforward , peaceful election . ''
Analysis : What Biden and Trump 's final movements tell you about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House pass through Pennsylvania , Donald Trump and Joe Biden , as Americans like to say , have left nothing in the locker room in this campaign .
The sporting metaphor is apt for a president and challenger who have blitzed the state in recent days in search of late winning strike .
Mr Trump won Pennsylvania by 44,000 votes in 2016 - less than one percentage point - and he knows victory there is essential if he is to win a second term .
Mr Biden was born in Pennsylvania - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famous as the setting for the US version of The Office - and the polls have consistently shown him leading .
He has focused on western Pennsylvania where the mix of suburban voters , disenchanted Trump supporters and people who sat out the last election are exactly the constituency he needs to win across the country .
Even taking into account the fact his campaign is headquartered in Philadelphia , Biden has visited Pennsylvania more than any other battleground state .
Mr Trump too has lavished attention on the state .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoed by his supporters , that the 'shy Trump voter ' will come out to support him in huge numbers and defy the pollsters again .

Donald Trump has warned of "violence in the streets" as voters head to the polls and decide whether he should stay in the White House or become the first one-term US president in decades.
Despite a record nearly 99 million Americans having already cast their ballot, Tuesday 3 November is the final stretch of a marathon campaign for the incumbent Republican and his Democrat challenger Joe Biden.
Staff from the Department of Justice have been dispatched to 18 states to try to curb voter suppression or intimidation, as the high-stakes campaign finally nears its end.
Image: Joe Biden spoke to supporters three times in Pennsylvania
But the battle may not end when the polls begin to close at around midnight UK time.
Both campaigns are gearing up for tight-fought races in swing states where the polls either give one candidate a marginal lead or say it is too close to call.
Image: Mr Trump did a dash across five states
Mr Trump hit out in a late-night tweet on Monday at a Supreme Court decision to allow mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania to be counted up to three days after the election.
He said it was "VERY dangerous", adding: "It will allow rampant and unchecked cheating and will undermine our entire systems of laws. It will also induce violence in the streets. Something must be done!"
Twitter quickly moved in to censor the tweet, adding a clarification for users which said: "Some or all of the content shared in this tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process."
Image: The US president hit out at a Supreme Court ruling on mail-in votes
With some votes and results heavily delayed by the large numbers of ballots submitted by post due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Trump may try to capitalise on initial early success among those who waited until 3 November to turn out.
Advertisement
This outcome has become known as a "red mirage".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
But Mr Biden's team are pushing back, sending out last-minute fundraising emails for the legal battles they may have to launch if they judge the US president has unfairly claimed a win too early.
"Under no scenario will Donald Trump be declared a victor on election night," the challenger's campaign manager declared on Monday.
Image: The months-long campaign will finally come to an end
It followed a frenzied dash by Mr Trump and Mr Biden on Wednesday, as they toured the "toss up" states both are hoping to win to top up their Electoral College votes and secure them the crucial 270 needed.
Mr Trump visited North Carolina, his opponent's birthplace of Scranton in Pennsylvania, as well as Wisconsin and two trips to Michigan.
He is bullish about his chances of holding on to seats he won with small margins in 2016.
While Mr Biden headed for Ohio and three events across Pennsylvania, where he proclaimed at his first rally in April 2019: "If I'm going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020, it's going to happen here."
Former president Barack Obama was also dispatched to Georgia and Florida - two tight races that would yield prizes of 16 and 29 electoral college votes, respectively.
Image: Barack Obama was sent to shore up voters in two swing states
Speaking after his final campaign events, Mr Trump said: "It's been an amazing day. It's been an amazing two days.
"I don't think anybody has ever seen crowds like this. We're getting very good results from early voting and from ballots. And we'll have to see how it all works out. We won't know for a little while."
While Mr Biden commented at the end of his events: "I have a feeling we are coming together for a big win."
Asked about the president's prediction of violence, he concluded: "I'm hoping for a straightforward, peaceful election."
Analysis: What Biden and Trump's final movements tell you about their chances
By Greg Milam, US correspondent
If all roads to the White House pass through Pennsylvania, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as Americans like to say, have left nothing in the locker room in this campaign.
The sporting metaphor is apt for a president and challenger who have blitzed the state in recent days in search of late winning strike.
Mr Trump won Pennsylvania by 44,000 votes in 2016 - less than one percentage point - and he knows victory there is essential if he is to win a second term.
Mr Biden was born in Pennsylvania - in the town of Scranton, most famous as the setting for the US version of The Office - and the polls have consistently shown him leading.
He has focused on western Pennsylvania where the mix of suburban voters, disenchanted Trump supporters and people who sat out the last election are exactly the constituency he needs to win across the country.
Even taking into account the fact his campaign is headquartered in Philadelphia, Biden has visited Pennsylvania more than any other battleground state.
Mr Trump too has lavished attention on the state. There is a strong belief in his campaign, echoed by his supporters, that the 'shy Trump voter' will come out to support him in huge numbers and defy the pollsters again.


skynewsus--2020-11-02--US election: Sport's unprecedented impact as voters go to the polls

The US presidential election has been played out against a sporting backdrop , with some of the biggest stars taking active positions to shape the country 's future .
From those wanting to increase turnout to those campaigning for a candidate , this is the story of an election like no other in the country 's history .
The mantra of keeping politics and sport apart has not been a feature in the build-up to this election , rather , sport and politics - in the United States at least - appear to have made very comfortable bed fellows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been at the forefront of the drive to get people to the polls , with the likes of the NFL and the NBA supporting player-led efforts .
Sky Sports NFL pundit Jeff Reinebold hopes other sports and leagues across the world - including the Premier League - follow suit by empowering players in the same way .
`` In the past , the NFL and professional sports in general , have tried to steer away from becoming involved in political things , '' he said .
`` There 's an economic reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and what I hope has happened , is that now the NFL sees that it has a responsibility to the society that buys the tickets , that buys the jerseys , and that as an organisation they have a civic responsibility to speak out .
`` I think that they have empowered their players to take their responsibility to speak out .
This is a very positive step and it 's one that I hope will be followed around the world by the Premier League , La Liga , Bundesliga , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport .
`` Sport and politics are intertwined , you ca n't separate them . ''
When Colin Kaepernick knelt on the sidelines during the national anthem in 2016 in protest against social and racial injustice in America , it caused a storm , opinion became divided , and the political fallout began .
Despite Kaepernick also pledging $ 1m ( £773,000 ) to organisations who support his aims , the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback 's actions were criticised in some quarters , yet he stuck true to his conviction , continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The following year , when President Donald Trump called on team owners to `` fire '' players who `` disrespect '' the flag , his response was met with more than 200 players from across the NFL kneeling , sitting or raising their fist during the national anthem .
Mr Trump later said his dislike for the protests had `` nothing to do with race or anything else .
This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag '' .
The NFL banned kneeling on the sidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the death of George Floyd in police custody , Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted the league was wrong not to listen to its players earlier , insisting the league wanted to `` encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest '' .
President Trump responded to the change in the NFL 's stance by posting on Twitter : `` Could it be even remotely possible that in Roger Goodell 's rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation , he was intimating that it would now be O.K .
for the players to KNEEL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Anthem , thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag ? ''
The new season has since started and while some players have remained on the field standing for the anthem , some have taken a knee , and others have chosen to remain in the locker room .
The NFL Votes campaign was launched in August , a league-wide initiative designed to support and encourage the voting and civic engagement efforts of fans , current and former players , and clubs .
Some 90 % of active NFL players are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the league will be closed on election day with half of the teams using their stadiums or facilities for election-related activities .
Seattle 's Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin , Atlanta 's Todd Gurley and San Francisco 's George Kittle are among the players that have participated in public service announcements , while all NFL players and staff have received comprehensive voter education .
Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod and his wife , Erika , have developed the My Voice My Vote initiative in partnership with their Change Our Future Foundation to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
The non-partisan campaign has focused on voter activation , education , and community mobilisation , and election day initiatives include providing free shuttle services to polling locations in North Philadelphia and supporting local businesses by providing meals to election volunteers .
`` We want to show a little love to the poll workers for their commitment and the amazing work they are doing , '' he said .
`` Without them , none of this will be possible , so we 've decided to support some small businesses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out meals and beverages , coffee and tea , to make the time a little more light-hearted and go by a little easier for them . ''
Reinebold said this type of direct player activism within local communities could become part of the new normal .
`` We 've had these times before but they 've been isolated incidents and there 's never been a governing body like the NFL come out and endorse - not a political stance - but just endorse being involved in the process , by speaking your mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the reality of it is , professional athletes have a much greater opportunity to bring about change because their voice is listened to by the multitudes .
`` And I think that is one of the things that is really good about what has happened .
These athletes are standing up and they are saying no more and I hope it begins a process where athletes speak out on all kinds of issues that are keeping us from being the society that we all want to be . ''
Former coach Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as New England Patriots linebackers ' coach under Bill Belichick , has welcomed the NFL 's and the players ' efforts in trying to get Americans out to vote .
He told Sky Sports News : `` I think it 's not just important to the sport , it 's important for America .
This is why our country , the US was formed .
I mean to have a right to vote , it 's a privilege and all these non-voters , [ what seems like ] half of America does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully , what the players have done is get people to form their own opinion , to get educated , to make a choice that they understand is in their best interests , and I think that 's what 's so important .
`` People listen , and the NFL is the most entertaining sport there is .
The players are heroes for everyone , so people are going to listen .
Hopefully they get educated , find out more about the candidates and go out and make a great vote .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did get involved , I think it 's great . ''
NBA : From boycott to voters turning out Lloyd Pierce of the Atlanta Hawks is not your typical NBA coach .
At 8am on 12 October , he began work as an election volunteer at the team 's State Farm Arena , an experience he told Sky Sports News was `` incredibly emotional '' .
It was the first day of early voting for the US election and as thousands turned up to an arena - normally used to seat 21,000 basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Pierce , who was involved in the plans to get the venue ready , talked to voters and helped to usher them to the right areas .
The venue was open for 19 days with early voting helping tens of thousands of people to cast their ballot in the key battleground state of Georgia , which could be pivotal in the race to the White House .
From coaching on the sidelines to speaking at rallies , the Hawks head coach is using his fame and position to promote social justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have an ability to influence in general , but also inspire the younger generation of voters that have never voted or participated in an election , '' he told Sky Sports News .
`` I think you saw the surprise in our players because we have an influx of new young players .
My team is filled with 21 , 22 , 23-year-olds , so some of them were n't even eligible to vote last time we had our 2016 election . ''
The NBA Players ' Association says 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US election .
This time voter registration stands at 96 % , and more than 20 teams have 100 % registration .
`` When our players show their ability and willingness to be educated about the election and the importance of it , they also influence their fans and support systems , '' Pierce added .
`` And they have the greatest fan and support systems in the world in terms of how many followers they have on their social media campaigns and how they can communicate to those followers and those fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really important time to engage with them and to encourage them to participate as well . ''
Pierce is helped by the leadership at the franchise .
Its ownership group , led by principal owner Tony Ressler , pledged $ 40m ( £31m ) towards bolstering the economic empowerment of Atlanta 's minority communities .
Hawks chief executive Steve Koonin said the summer of protests in American cities against racial inequality and police brutality is where the idea of trying to make it easier for citizens to vote came from .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm watching all the young people and the energy , '' he told nba.com '' And I wanted to say that I understand what you 're protesting but I do n't know what could come of it because there was no contemplation of what the actions would be .
I 'm a big fan of peaceful demonstration , I think it 's incredibly important .
Then it dawned on me that the only way to make change is to vote . ''
Many of the NBA-led changes came after athletes protested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jacob Blake .
The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their playoff against Orlando Magic in protest .
No professional sports team in America had ever refused to play a game in such circumstances .
Two other playoff games scheduled for that night were also cancelled , and three more the following day .
Women 's NBA , Major League Baseball , National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games were all postponed following player-led actions .
Part of the agreement that allowed the NBA season to resume included measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Players Association agreed that in cities where teams owned and controlled their venues they could use their facilities to help people vote in person .
In places like Atlanta , this has helped to reduce queues and make it easier for people to vote .
The governing body and players also agreed to establish a `` social justice coalition '' to focus on `` increasing access to voting , promoting civic engagement , and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform '' .
The NBA also committed to advertising spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civic engagement and raise awareness around voter access and opportunity .
The sport 's biggest star , four-time NBA champion LeBron James spearheads a voting rights organisation called More Than A Vote aimed at encouraging African Americans to cast their ballots .
The campaign has also helped to recruit over 40,000 poll workers due to a shortage of volunteers because of the coronavirus pandemic , and also to protect the older population from having to work because of the higher risk .
Its ambitions do not stop there .
The campaign also aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation online .
Those involved with More Than A Vote include fellow NBA All-Star Trae Youg , WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith , Kansas City Chief 's quarterback Patrick Mahomes , and 2017 US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens .
In the build up to the election , the initiative has worked alongside Michelle Obama 's similar When We All Vote , with the former first lady adding the plan was to `` build momentum and excitement around voting early '' .
Like the NFL , the NBA has also been the subject of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president describing the organisation as `` highly political '' , adding ratings are `` way down '' .
In response to the US leader saying he would not watch games because of kneeling before games , LA Lakers star LeBron said the basketball community would not be `` sad '' .
LeBron recently told the New York Times he would not engage in arguments with Mr Trump , saying he would not `` go back and forth with anybody '' on Twitter .
Trump tries to get college football return In 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - all of which have Big Ten college football teams .
It was the first time the Democrats had lost there in almost 30 years .
When college football was suspended for the autumn season because of the pandemic , Mr Trump intervened .
In September , he called the Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren , with both saying they had a `` productive '' telephone conversation .
Just over two weeks later , the news was confirmed that the Big Ten had reversed its decision not to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the return , saying it was great news , adding : `` It is my great honour to have helped !
!
! ''
College teams are often significant economic drivers for the regions in which they are located , and one survey claimed 53 % of college football fans credited the president with the return of Big Ten football , which kicked off last month .
World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe was one of the first athletes to follow Kaepernick 's lead in 2016 by kneeling during the anthem in protest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation adopted a policy that required players to stand during the anthem .
But , after widespread protests over the death of George Floyd , there was a U-turn from the federation , who overturned the ban on US footballers kneeling during the anthem , apologising to its players .
Republican congressman Matt Gaetz was critical of that decision , tweeting : `` I 'd rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that wo n't stand for the National Anthem .
You should n't get to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you wo n't stand when it is raised . ''
Trump retweeted that message before adding : `` I wo n't be watching much anymore ! ''
He then posted : `` And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also , but not with me watching ! ''
Rapinoe is no stranger to activism and made headlines at the 2019 World Cup when she said she would not visit the White House if the US Women 's National Team went on to win the tournament .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A keen golfer , President Trump 's re-election has also split opinion among some of the top golfers .
Eighteen-time major winner Jack Nicklaus voted for Mr Trump and gave a high-profile endorsement a week before the election .
He later said he knew it would `` cause him some grief '' .
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy played golf with the president in 2017 , but said it was after an invitation from the leader and was not an endorsement .
This year McIlroy criticised the president 's handling of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play golf with Mr Trump again .
Even the president awarding Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation 's highest civilian honour , was open to criticism from his opponents .
Woods received the award at the White House last year , a month after winning The Masters to clinch his 15th major .
Woods knew Mr Trump before he entered the White House and the fact the pair are also business partners did lead to some criticism .
Who will emerge as the next leader of the free world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both won the support of high-profile sports stars in this election campaign .
By Monday evening over 96 million Americans had voted early in the election .
With hours to go until the polls close , one thing is clear , never before has an election has been played out against a sporting backdrop quite like this .
What difference will it make when America decides ?
Follow all the US election results live on Tuesday 3 November from 10pm on Sky News TV , app and skynews.com

The US presidential election has been played out against a sporting backdrop, with some of the biggest stars taking active positions to shape the country's future.
From those wanting to increase turnout to those campaigning for a candidate, this is the story of an election like no other in the country's history.
The mantra of keeping politics and sport apart has not been a feature in the build-up to this election, rather, sport and politics - in the United States at least - appear to have made very comfortable bed fellows.
Sportspeople have emerged as activists and have been at the forefront of the drive to get people to the polls, with the likes of the NFL and the NBA supporting player-led efforts.
Sky Sports NFL pundit Jeff Reinebold hopes other sports and leagues across the world - including the Premier League - follow suit by empowering players in the same way.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 Jeff Reinebold says the NFL supporting their players to speak out could inspire other leagues around the world to do the same
"In the past, the NFL and professional sports in general, have tried to steer away from becoming involved in political things," he said.
"There's an economic reason for that but I think what has happened, and what I hope has happened, is that now the NFL sees that it has a responsibility to the society that buys the tickets, that buys the jerseys, and that as an organisation they have a civic responsibility to speak out.
"I think that they have empowered their players to take their responsibility to speak out. This is a very positive step and it's one that I hope will be followed around the world by the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, by all of the influential governing bodies of sport.
"Sport and politics are intertwined, you can't separate them."
Advertisement
When Colin Kaepernick knelt on the sidelines during the national anthem in 2016 in protest against social and racial injustice in America, it caused a storm, opinion became divided, and the political fallout began.
Despite Kaepernick also pledging $1m (£773,000) to organisations who support his aims, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback's actions were criticised in some quarters, yet he stuck true to his conviction, continuing to kneel, joined by other players.
The following year, when President Donald Trump called on team owners to "fire" players who "disrespect" the flag, his response was met with more than 200 players from across the NFL kneeling, sitting or raising their fist during the national anthem.
Mr Trump later said his dislike for the protests had "nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag".
Image: Colin Kaepernick (centre) has not played in the NFL since 2016 when he gained widespread attention for 'taking a knee'
The NFL banned kneeling on the sidelines during the anthem in 2018, but following the death of George Floyd in police custody, Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted the league was wrong not to listen to its players earlier, insisting the league wanted to "encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest".
President Trump responded to the change in the NFL's stance by posting on Twitter: "Could it be even remotely possible that in Roger Goodell's rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation, he was intimating that it would now be O.K. for the players to KNEEL, or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag?"
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The new season has since started and while some players have remained on the field standing for the anthem, some have taken a knee, and others have chosen to remain in the locker room.
NFL Votes
The NFL Votes campaign was launched in August, a league-wide initiative designed to support and encourage the voting and civic engagement efforts of fans, current and former players, and clubs.
Some 90% of active NFL players are now registered to vote and all team facilities across the league will be closed on election day with half of the teams using their stadiums or facilities for election-related activities.
Seattle's Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin, Atlanta's Todd Gurley and San Francisco's George Kittle are among the players that have participated in public service announcements, while all NFL players and staff have received comprehensive voter education.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod and his wife, Erika, have developed the My Voice My Vote initiative in partnership with their Change Our Future Foundation to support and encourage civic engagement and voting in the city.
The non-partisan campaign has focused on voter activation, education, and community mobilisation, and election day initiatives include providing free shuttle services to polling locations in North Philadelphia and supporting local businesses by providing meals to election volunteers.
Image: 'Vote' painted in the endzone prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts
"We want to show a little love to the poll workers for their commitment and the amazing work they are doing," he said.
"Without them, none of this will be possible, so we've decided to support some small businesses in the local area and be able to hand out meals and beverages, coffee and tea, to make the time a little more light-hearted and go by a little easier for them."
Reinebold said this type of direct player activism within local communities could become part of the new normal.
"We've had these times before but they've been isolated incidents and there's never been a governing body like the NFL come out and endorse - not a political stance - but just endorse being involved in the process, by speaking your mind," he said.
"You see the reality of it is, professional athletes have a much greater opportunity to bring about change because their voice is listened to by the multitudes.
"And I think that is one of the things that is really good about what has happened. These athletes are standing up and they are saying no more and I hope it begins a process where athletes speak out on all kinds of issues that are keeping us from being the society that we all want to be."
Former coach Rob Ryan, who won two Super Bowls as New England Patriots linebackers' coach under Bill Belichick, has welcomed the NFL's and the players' efforts in trying to get Americans out to vote.
He told Sky Sports News: "I think it's not just important to the sport, it's important for America. This is why our country, the US was formed. I mean to have a right to vote, it's a privilege and all these non-voters, [what seems like] half of America doesn't vote, it's ridiculous.
"Hopefully, what the players have done is get people to form their own opinion, to get educated, to make a choice that they understand is in their best interests, and I think that's what's so important.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:04 Sky Sports NFL pundit and former coach Rob Ryan praises NFL players for inspiring Americans to vote
"People listen, and the NFL is the most entertaining sport there is. The players are heroes for everyone, so people are going to listen. Hopefully they get educated, find out more about the candidates and go out and make a great vote. I think it's important that the NFL did get involved, I think it's great."
NBA: From boycott to voters turning out
Lloyd Pierce of the Atlanta Hawks is not your typical NBA coach. At 8am on 12 October, he began work as an election volunteer at the team's State Farm Arena, an experience he told Sky Sports News was "incredibly emotional".
It was the first day of early voting for the US election and as thousands turned up to an arena - normally used to seat 21,000 basketball fans - most voters did not recognise him.
Image: Voters line up inside State Farm Arena, Georgia's largest early voting location, on the first day of early voting
Pierce, who was involved in the plans to get the venue ready, talked to voters and helped to usher them to the right areas. The venue was open for 19 days with early voting helping tens of thousands of people to cast their ballot in the key battleground state of Georgia, which could be pivotal in the race to the White House.
From coaching on the sidelines to speaking at rallies, the Hawks head coach is using his fame and position to promote social justice and highlight the power of the vote.
"We have an ability to influence in general, but also inspire the younger generation of voters that have never voted or participated in an election," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think you saw the surprise in our players because we have an influx of new young players. My team is filled with 21, 22, 23-year-olds, so some of them weren't even eligible to vote last time we had our 2016 election."
The NBA Players' Association says 20% of players voted in the 2016 US election. This time voter registration stands at 96%, and more than 20 teams have 100% registration.
"When our players show their ability and willingness to be educated about the election and the importance of it, they also influence their fans and support systems," Pierce added.
"And they have the greatest fan and support systems in the world in terms of how many followers they have on their social media campaigns and how they can communicate to those followers and those fans and supporters. This happens to be a really important time to engage with them and to encourage them to participate as well."
Pierce is helped by the leadership at the franchise. Its ownership group, led by principal owner Tony Ressler, pledged $40m (£31m) towards bolstering the economic empowerment of Atlanta's minority communities.
Hawks chief executive Steve Koonin said the summer of protests in American cities against racial inequality and police brutality is where the idea of trying to make it easier for citizens to vote came from.
"Right in the nexus of the protests, I'm watching all the young people and the energy," he told nba.com
"And I wanted to say that I understand what you're protesting but I don't know what could come of it because there was no contemplation of what the actions would be. I'm a big fan of peaceful demonstration, I think it's incredibly important. Then it dawned on me that the only way to make change is to vote."
Many of the NBA-led changes came after athletes protested against racial injustice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their playoff against Orlando Magic in protest.
No professional sports team in America had ever refused to play a game in such circumstances. Two other playoff games scheduled for that night were also cancelled, and three more the following day.
Women's NBA, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games were all postponed following player-led actions.
Part of the agreement that allowed the NBA season to resume included measures related to the election.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The NBA and the Players Association agreed that in cities where teams owned and controlled their venues they could use their facilities to help people vote in person. In places like Atlanta, this has helped to reduce queues and make it easier for people to vote.
The governing body and players also agreed to establish a "social justice coalition" to focus on "increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform". The NBA also committed to advertising spots in each playoff game to promoting greater civic engagement and raise awareness around voter access and opportunity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 Former US President Barack Obama showed off his impressive basketball skills whilst on the campaign trail
The sport's biggest star, four-time NBA champion LeBron James spearheads a voting rights organisation called More Than A Vote aimed at encouraging African Americans to cast their ballots.
The campaign has also helped to recruit over 40,000 poll workers due to a shortage of volunteers because of the coronavirus pandemic, and also to protect the older population from having to work because of the higher risk.
Its ambitions do not stop there. The campaign also aims to provide advice to potential voters on misinformation online.
Those involved with More Than A Vote include fellow NBA All-Star Trae Youg, WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith, Kansas City Chief's quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and 2017 US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens.
In the build up to the election, the initiative has worked alongside Michelle Obama's similar When We All Vote, with the former first lady adding the plan was to "build momentum and excitement around voting early".
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Like the NFL, the NBA has also been the subject of Mr Trump's attention, with the president describing the organisation as "highly political", adding ratings are "way down".
In response to the US leader saying he would not watch games because of kneeling before games, LA Lakers star LeBron said the basketball community would not be "sad".
LeBron recently told the New York Times he would not engage in arguments with Mr Trump, saying he would not "go back and forth with anybody" on Twitter.
Trump tries to get college football return
In 2016, President Trump won the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - all of which have Big Ten college football teams. It was the first time the Democrats had lost there in almost 30 years.
Image: Mr Trump and the first lady at the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the LSU Tigers in January
When college football was suspended for the autumn season because of the pandemic, Mr Trump intervened.
In September, he called the Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, with both saying they had a "productive" telephone conversation.
Just over two weeks later, the news was confirmed that the Big Ten had reversed its decision not to play its season.
The president tweeted about the return, saying it was great news, adding: "It is my great honour to have helped!!!"
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
College teams are often significant economic drivers for the regions in which they are located, and one survey claimed 53% of college football fans credited the president with the return of Big Ten football, which kicked off last month.
Rapinoe, Trump and White House invitation
World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe was one of the first athletes to follow Kaepernick's lead in 2016 by kneeling during the anthem in protest.
In response, the United States Soccer Federation adopted a policy that required players to stand during the anthem.
Image: Megan Rapinoe kneels during the National Anthem before a match in 2016
But, after widespread protests over the death of George Floyd, there was a U-turn from the federation, who overturned the ban on US footballers kneeling during the anthem, apologising to its players.
Republican congressman Matt Gaetz was critical of that decision, tweeting: "I'd rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won't stand for the National Anthem. You shouldn't get to play under our flag as our national team if you won't stand when it is raised."
Trump retweeted that message before adding: "I won't be watching much anymore!" He then posted: "And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!"
Rapinoe is no stranger to activism and made headlines at the 2019 World Cup when she said she would not visit the White House if the US Women's National Team went on to win the tournament. President Trump accused her of "disrespect".
A keen golfer, President Trump's re-election has also split opinion among some of the top golfers.
Eighteen-time major winner Jack Nicklaus voted for Mr Trump and gave a high-profile endorsement a week before the election. He later said he knew it would "cause him some grief".
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy played golf with the president in 2017, but said it was after an invitation from the leader and was not an endorsement.
This year McIlroy criticised the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and added that he would not play golf with Mr Trump again.
Even the president awarding Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honour, was open to criticism from his opponents.
Image: Trump gives golfer and business partner Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom in May 2019
Woods received the award at the White House last year, a month after winning The Masters to clinch his 15th major.
Woods knew Mr Trump before he entered the White House and the fact the pair are also business partners did lead to some criticism.
Who will emerge as the next leader of the free world?
Donald Trump and Joe Biden have both won the support of high-profile sports stars in this election campaign.
By Monday evening over 96 million Americans had voted early in the election. With hours to go until the polls close, one thing is clear, never before has an election has been played out against a sporting backdrop quite like this.
What difference will it make when America decides?
Follow all the US election results live on Tuesday 3 November from 10pm on Sky News TV, app and skynews.com


skynewsus--2020-11-01--The paths to power for Biden and Trump

The paths to power for Biden and Trump

US Election 2020 : The paths to power for Biden and Trump The polls have consistently put Joe Biden significantly ahead of Donald Trump at state and national level - but how could Trump still win ?
Have the pollsters got it all wrong again ?
What does Biden need to do ?
Is chat about a landslide crazy talk ?
Will we even get a result on the night ?
Or just weeks , maybe months of legal dispute ?
I 've been speaking to lots of voters , pollsters and analysts to try and answer those questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ path is narrow .
He needs to hold on to all the states he did in 2016 , and that is no easy feat for an incumbent president .
If he loses a state like Florida or Pennsylvania , with a big haul of electoral votes , he 'd have to win over a lot of smaller states - again , that 's very tricky to do .
There are three key things that make the race harder for him this year : • Demographics - a broader more diverse electorate of black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No real third-party candidates to dent Mr Biden 's reach in key states • An opponent who does n't have the likeability issue Hillary Clinton did .
The voters that could help Trump win If the majority of white voters go for Mr Trump and turnout rises significantly among them , but does n't in other groups , he has a path .
He also seems to be doing slightly better with Black and Latino voters than before - that will help him , but it means nothing if he haemorrhages a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he wins , it may well be down to six factors : • A better ground game , with more door-knocking than Joe Biden • Underestimating the `` shy '' voter again - those who do n't openly admit to backing Mr Trump • Registering more voters than the Democrats • By not losing ground with Latino voters , and maybe even gaining some Can we trust the polls ?
In 2016 , pollsters failed to account for white non-college-educated voters and thus a big part of Mr Trump 's appeal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've addressed that issue in their approaches .
Most will tell you there is still a three-point margin of error in state and national polls .
The difference between Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton is he has wider more consistent leads .
What does Biden need to do to win ?
He can win by picking up voters who went for a third party .
By winning over some , but not loads of suburban women .
Picking up older voters - especially those affected by COVID-19 .
And by getting college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton lost .
The polls say he is doing all of that .
We 're taking about small margins in key battlegrounds : in fact if Biden gets just 1 % of white swing voters , he would flip four states and capture 307 electoral votes - far more than the 270 he needs .
If he gets black voters to vote like they did in 2012 , he could also flip three states and win .
Is a landslide really possible ?
Yes , but you wo n't hear anyone in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They keep talking about it being a tight race .
They 've all got what Mr Obama 's former chief strategist called `` Post Polling Traumatic Stress Disorder '' from 2016 .
They ca n't afford for voters to sit this out , and know whatever the polls say , many more Republicans will vote on election day .
What do the campaign travel schedules tell us ?
Mr Biden and his surrogates are going to historically out of reach places like Texas and Georgia - that shows confidence ( it may prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a disastrous moonshot strategy whilst she ignored her crumbling so-called `` blue wall '' in the Rust Belt .
He is also though going to places like Nebraska and Maine which tells us that his team are also trying to prepare themselves for a tie .
Donald Trump is n't going for long shots .
He 's focused on lots of visits to the states he won in .
If he secures them it 's enough , but the margins were slim , so he 's not taking anything for granted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In short , no .
It tells us that turnout should be high , but making inferences about Mr Trump or Mr Biden 's popularity from numbers is n't wise .
More Republicans will vote on election day than by mail and we have no idea what election day might really look like .
Will we get a result on the night ?
It 's not impossible .
A landslide either way would obviously make things clear .
If Mr Trump starts significantly trailing in key places like Florida and Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could become insurmountable .
But the race could be very tight and much tighter than the polls suggest .
Lots of the battleground states wo n't have decisive results on the night so delays are highly possible .
Each team are legalled up , with hundreds of cases already going through the courts .
Pennsylvania , so key , could take days .
In 2000 , the Gore/Bush contested election went all the way to the Supreme Court .
It could again and now Conservatives have the advantage of a 6-3 majority there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the result ?
Keep an eye on Maricopa , Arizona and Pinellas , Florida for signs of where the Latino vote is going .
Pinellas has also picked the president since 1980 .
Now it 's a melting pot .
Look at Sumpter , Florida , for early votes and an indication of whether there is or is n't a `` grey revolt '' against Mr Trump .
Look out for Macomb , Michigan , for a sense of where the socially conservative working-class white vote might lean .
If you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fairing in contested suburbs , Bucks County , Pennsylvania , is a good barometer , and look to Westmoreland to see if Trump 's been able to build on his success four years ago .
As for Black voters , watch Milwaukee , Detroit and Philadelphia to see if Mr Biden has been able to do better than Mrs Clinton fared .

US Election 2020: The paths to power for Biden and Trump
The polls have consistently put Joe Biden significantly ahead of Donald Trump at state and national level - but how could Trump still win?
Have the pollsters got it all wrong again? What does Biden need to do? Is chat about a landslide crazy talk? Will we even get a result on the night? Or just weeks, maybe months of legal dispute?
I've been speaking to lots of voters, pollsters and analysts to try and answer those questions.
A Trump win?
It's absolutely possible, but his path is narrow. He needs to hold on to all the states he did in 2016, and that is no easy feat for an incumbent president. If he loses a state like Florida or Pennsylvania, with a big haul of electoral votes, he'd have to win over a lot of smaller states - again, that's very tricky to do.
There are three key things that make the race harder for him this year:
Demographics - a broader more diverse electorate of black and Latino voters who lean Democrat
No real third-party candidates to dent Mr Biden's reach in key states
An opponent who doesn't have the likeability issue Hillary Clinton did.
The voters that could help Trump win
If the majority of white voters go for Mr Trump and turnout rises significantly among them, but doesn't in other groups, he has a path.
He also seems to be doing slightly better with Black and Latino voters than before - that will help him, but it means nothing if he haemorrhages a whole load of white suburban women voters.
If he wins, it may well be down to six factors:
A better ground game, with more door-knocking than Joe Biden
Poor Black voter turnout for the Democrats
Underestimating the "shy" voter again - those who don't openly admit to backing Mr Trump
Big turnout in less populous states
Registering more voters than the Democrats
By not losing ground with Latino voters, and maybe even gaining some
Can we trust the polls?
In 2016, pollsters failed to account for white non-college-educated voters and thus a big part of Mr Trump's appeal, but they tell me they're confident they've addressed that issue in their approaches.
Most will tell you there is still a three-point margin of error in state and national polls. The difference between Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton is he has wider more consistent leads.
What does Biden need to do to win?
Small improvements, not a political earthquake.
He can win by picking up voters who went for a third party. By winning over some, but not loads of suburban women. Picking up older voters - especially those affected by COVID-19. And by getting college educated and white working-class voters who Mrs Clinton lost. The polls say he is doing all of that.
We're taking about small margins in key battlegrounds: in fact if Biden gets just 1% of white swing voters, he would flip four states and capture 307 electoral votes - far more than the 270 he needs. If he gets black voters to vote like they did in 2012, he could also flip three states and win.
Is a landslide really possible?
Yes, but you won't hear anyone in the Biden camp use the L word. They keep talking about it being a tight race.
They've all got what Mr Obama's former chief strategist called "Post Polling Traumatic Stress Disorder" from 2016. They can't afford for voters to sit this out, and know whatever the polls say, many more Republicans will vote on election day.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
What do the campaign travel schedules tell us?
Mr Biden and his surrogates are going to historically out of reach places like Texas and Georgia - that shows confidence (it may prove too much of it).
Hillary had a disastrous moonshot strategy whilst she ignored her crumbling so-called "blue wall" in the Rust Belt. He is also though going to places like Nebraska and Maine which tells us that his team are also trying to prepare themselves for a tie.
Donald Trump isn't going for long shots. He's focused on lots of visits to the states he won in. If he secures them it's enough, but the margins were slim, so he's not taking anything for granted.
Can we deduce anything from early voting?
In short, no. It tells us that turnout should be high, but making inferences about Mr Trump or Mr Biden's popularity from numbers isn't wise. More Republicans will vote on election day than by mail and we have no idea what election day might really look like.
Will we get a result on the night?
It's not impossible. A landslide either way would obviously make things clear. If Mr Trump starts significantly trailing in key places like Florida and Arizona, the political math as they say here could become insurmountable.
But the race could be very tight and much tighter than the polls suggest.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:42 The key states needed to win the White House race
Lots of the battleground states won't have decisive results on the night so delays are highly possible. Each team are legalled up, with hundreds of cases already going through the courts. Pennsylvania, so key, could take days.
In 2000, the Gore/Bush contested election went all the way to the Supreme Court. It could again and now Conservatives have the advantage of a 6-3 majority there.
Where to look for clues about the result?
Keep an eye on Maricopa, Arizona and Pinellas, Florida for signs of where the Latino vote is going. Pinellas has also picked the president since 1980. Now it's a melting pot.
Look at Sumpter, Florida, for early votes and an indication of whether there is or isn't a "grey revolt" against Mr Trump.
Look out for Macomb, Michigan, for a sense of where the socially conservative working-class white vote might lean.
If you want to keep a check on how Mr Biden is fairing in contested suburbs, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a good barometer, and look to Westmoreland to see if Trump's been able to build on his success four years ago.
As for Black voters, watch Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia to see if Mr Biden has been able to do better than Mrs Clinton fared.


skynewsus--2020-11-05--As Trump-Biden race goes to the wire, what happened in previous close elections?

The outcome of the US presidential election is too close to call - but it 's not the first time a vote has gone to the wire .
As the counting continues while Donald Trump and Joe Biden exchange verbal punches and legal challenges are launched , Sky News looks back at some other tight elections .
The US presidential election of 2000 did not involve the closest margin ever , but surely the most dramatic - and enduringly significant - of the close-run races for the White House .
After a month-long series of legal battles , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outcome , the contest between Al Gore and George W Bush came down to a few hundred votes in Florida .
The state used punched card ballots where incompletely punched holes resulted in partially punched chads - small fragments of paper - dubbed `` hanging chads '' .
The disputed ballots went all the way to the Supreme Court , where justices voted 5-4 to stop the latest re-count , giving the Republican victory by 537 votes .
Mr Gore is widely believed to have lost the entire election due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slightly smaller country , Cape Verde - estimated population : 543,767 - was up for grabs in 2001 .
Pedro Pires of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde beat Carlos Veiga from the Movement for Democracy by 17 votes in the second round of the election after neither won more than 50 % in the first round .
There have been plenty of ties down the years , including one in the Swiss canton of Ticino , in the federal election of 2011 , where Marco Romano and Monica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A computer was used to draw lots and Widmer was declared the winner .
But after complaints and appeals , the country 's Federal Supreme Court ruled against the use of a computer programme and ordered a new manual lottery which Mr Romano won .
Incumbent Frank Wageman found himself tied with challenger Eleanor Podles in the New Hampshire Senate Republican primary in 1980 because he himself was unable to vote as he was in hospital .
Adjudicators placed two numbered balls in a black leather bottle , and the first one to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wageman 's ball came out first .
Ms Podles demanded a recount that did not change the outcome , but she gained revenge by defeating him two years later .
Lib Dem candidate Mark Oaten led Conservative incumbent Gerry Malone by just two votes ( 26,100 to 26,098 ) in the race to become Winchester 's MP in the UK general election of 1997 .
But 55 ballot papers were not counted because they had no official mark .
They split 18 to Oaten and 22 for Malone , giving the Tory a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The High Court ordered a fresh election , in which Mr Oaten handily beat his rival ( a former health minister ) by more than 20,000 votes .
The smallest numerical majority in a UK Parliamentary election in the 20th century came in the constituency of Exeter in 1910 .
Liberal candidate Harold St Maur won the original ballot by four votes , but Henry Duke , the Conservative incumbent , regained it on an election petition in 1911 .
A court had changed the result to a one-vote victory for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory by 100 % , albeit one recorded by a dictator ; Saddam Hussein in 2002 .
Every single one of Iraq 's 11,445,638 eligible voters cast their ballot for the country 's president , according to officials .
Hussein - who had ruled Iraq since 1979 - was the only candidate in a `` referendum '' that guaranteed him seven more years in power .
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said : `` Obviously it 's not a very serious day , not a very serious vote and nobody places any credibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president had been ousted following a US-led invasion .

The outcome of the US presidential election is too close to call - but it's not the first time a vote has gone to the wire.
As the counting continues while Donald Trump and Joe Biden exchange verbal punches and legal challenges are launched, Sky News looks back at some other tight elections.
US election 2020 live: Follow the latest updates
Hanging chads and a one-vote win
The US presidential election of 2000 did not involve the closest margin ever, but surely the most dramatic - and enduringly significant - of the close-run races for the White House.
After a month-long series of legal battles, in which so-called "hanging chads" became crucial to the outcome, the contest between Al Gore and George W Bush came down to a few hundred votes in Florida.
The state used punched card ballots where incompletely punched holes resulted in partially punched chads - small fragments of paper - dubbed "hanging chads".
The disputed ballots went all the way to the Supreme Court, where justices voted 5-4 to stop the latest re-count, giving the Republican victory by 537 votes.
Image: President-elect George W Bush and Al Gore after the election was over
Mr Gore is widely believed to have lost the entire election due to that court vote.
A smaller margin for a smaller prize
The leadership of a slightly smaller country, Cape Verde - estimated population: 543,767 - was up for grabs in 2001.
Advertisement
Pedro Pires of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde beat Carlos Veiga from the Movement for Democracy by 17 votes in the second round of the election after neither won more than 50% in the first round.
Not OK, computer
There have been plenty of ties down the years, including one in the Swiss canton of Ticino, in the federal election of 2011, where Marco Romano and Monica Duca Widmer both polled 23,979 votes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:12 Is Joe Biden closing in on Donald Trump in the key battleground of Georgia?
A computer was used to draw lots and Widmer was declared the winner.
But after complaints and appeals, the country's Federal Supreme Court ruled against the use of a computer programme and ordered a new manual lottery which Mr Romano won.
Message in a bottle
Incumbent Frank Wageman found himself tied with challenger Eleanor Podles in the New Hampshire Senate Republican primary in 1980 because he himself was unable to vote as he was in hospital.
Adjudicators placed two numbered balls in a black leather bottle, and the first one to roll out was the winner.
Mr Wageman's ball came out first.
Ms Podles demanded a recount that did not change the outcome, but she gained revenge by defeating him two years later.
Image: Former Lib Dem MP, Mark Oaten
Making his mark
Lib Dem candidate Mark Oaten led Conservative incumbent Gerry Malone by just two votes (26,100 to 26,098) in the race to become Winchester's MP in the UK general election of 1997.
But 55 ballot papers were not counted because they had no official mark.
They split 18 to Oaten and 22 for Malone, giving the Tory a majority of two had they been included.
The High Court ordered a fresh election, in which Mr Oaten handily beat his rival (a former health minister) by more than 20,000 votes.
The smallest margin
The smallest numerical majority in a UK Parliamentary election in the 20th century came in the constituency of Exeter in 1910.
Liberal candidate Harold St Maur won the original ballot by four votes, but Henry Duke, the Conservative incumbent, regained it on an election petition in 1911.
A court had changed the result to a one-vote victory for him.
Image: Saddam Hussein, who recorded a 100% victory in 2002
And the biggest-ever win?
It's hard to beat a victory by 100%, albeit one recorded by a dictator; Saddam Hussein in 2002.
Every single one of Iraq's 11,445,638 eligible voters cast their ballot for the country's president, according to officials.
Hussein - who had ruled Iraq since 1979 - was the only candidate in a "referendum" that guaranteed him seven more years in power.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "Obviously it's not a very serious day, not a very serious vote and nobody places any credibility on it."
A year later, the president had been ousted following a US-led invasion.