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The US election has presented many of the electorate with a stark choice. Neither candidate for the Democratic and Republican parties have enjoyed careers without controversy and the conduct of both has come under question.
Particular concern has been prompted by the controversies to emerge from Donald Trump’s campaign. His bid for the White House has been marred by accusations of sexual assault and harassment, allegations he has denied. Obscene and derogatory comments about women, his apparent readiness to use nuclear weapons and incendiary comments about immigrants and refugees have prompted urgent questions over what the future of America would be under a Trump administration.
Donald Trump's most controversial quotes
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It is a concern that his own team cannot ignore. Nowhere was this more pronounced than in the closing remarks from Mr Trump’s spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway, who told the BBC the world has nothing to fear should Mr Trump be elected to the highest office in America.
JK Rowling, who has been a vocal opponent of Mr Trump throughout his campaign, highlighted Ms Conway's reassurances as a sign of how grimly worrying the election has become.
Hillary Clinton and Mr Trump both made their final push for votes overnight. Initial polls show the Democratic nominee has a narrow four-point lead over her rival. Both candidates brought their campaigns to a close with a message of positivity followed by jabs at their opponents. Ms Clinton urged voters to choose a “hopeful, big-hearted America”, while Mr Trump promised “to deliver, historic, once in a lifetime change” in his final pitch.
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