President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, cast their votes this morning in the tiny town near their Texas ranch, and Mr Bush said he was calm and confident now that the election was "in the hands of the people."
With polls showing the race deadlocked, Mr Bush told reporters after he voted that he hoped the United States would avoid the same kind of bitter recount battle that resulted in his narrow victory in 2000, and he pledged to work to bring the divided country together if he wins.
"I think it's very important that it end tonight. The world watches our great democracy function, and there would be nothing better for our system for the election to be conclusively over tonight so that
- I think it's going to be me - so I can go on and lead this country," he said.
Mr Bush said his goal, if he defeats Democratic Senator John Kerry, would be to "bring people together, set an agenda, which would be to make sure America is secure, expand our prosperity and move forward and bring Republicans and Democrats together."
After they voted, the Bushes were headed to one last get-out-the-vote stop in Columbus, Ohio. No Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio, and the state is in play this year due to job losses of 230,000 since Bush took office. Polls show the two candidates running neck and neck in Ohio.
Mr Bush had a short night of sleep after a marathon last day of campaigning that took him through five swing states and to a final rally on Monday night in Dallas. He will watch election results at the White House tonight.