Massachusetts voters streamed to the polls in large numbers today in a cliffhanger election for a new US senator that could derail Democrats' dominance in Washington and scuttle President Barack Obama's top priority of sweeping healthcare reform.
What looked likely weeks ago to be a Democratic shoo-in to replace late party icon Edward Kennedy has turned into a desperate effort by Democrats after a last-minute surge by the likable Republican, state Senator Scott Brown.
Latest opinion polls suggest Brown could defeat state Attorney General Martha Coakley, and take away the Democrats' 60-vote majority in Congress, which enables them to overcome Republican procedural roadblocks. Voter worries about the economy and healthcare reform have helped Brown.
In Washington, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president does not believe healthcare reform will fail if Coakley loses. But Obama is "both surprised and frustrated" and "not pleased" by the closeness of the Massachusetts race, Mr Gibbs said.
Reflecting Wall Street's expectations for healthcare reform, investors drove health insurance and drug company shares higher, betting a Brown victory would at least slow Obama's healthcare plans.
Polls will stay open until 8 pm EST (1 am Irish time). Given the expected close vote, results could take a few hours to emerge after polls close.
Turnout is often low in off-season elections, but given intense interest in the current race, Secretary of State William Galvin said he was bracing for voting levels similar to that of a regular state election.
High turnout could benefit the more energized Brown campaign, although registered Democrats in Massachusetts hold a sizable numerical advantage.
Snow and freezing drizzle lingered across much of the state through midday, which could keep some voters at home. But local media reported strong turnout in many precincts, with some polling places seeing long queues early in the day.
Sen Kennedy, who held the seat for almost 47 years, died in August of brain cancer. Democrat Paul Kirk was appointed by the state's governor in September to occupy Kennedy's seat and will remain in the Senate until a winner is sworn in.
Massachusetts last elected a Republican to the Senate in 1972, but the weak economy and doubts about the healthcare overhaul have moved voters to abandon political loyalties.
Their possible change of heart could not have come at a more crucial juncture for Obama.
Democrats now control 60 votes in the Senate to 40 for the Republicans. The loss of one seat could hamper the Democrats' ability to cut off debate and proceed to a vote on the planned healthcare overhaul. Brown has promised to be the Republican's 41st vote to kill healthcare legislation.
More broadly, an upset in Massachusetts, or even a narrow win for Coakley, would raise the spectre of large losses for Democrats in midterm congressional elections in November.
The Republican has attracted strong support from independent voters, including many who backed president Obama in 2008.
"There's an anger, a frustration that's being felt in Massachusetts," said James Gomes, director of the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise at Clark University in Massachusetts.
A number of polls over the past week have shown Brown edging ahead, although mostly within the margin of error for each survey. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report judged the race a toss-up.
In Washington, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said he expected Coakley to win but he understood why voters were unhappy. "It's a tough time to have a special election because people are angry...," he said.
Millions of dollars have flooded into the state to buy nonstop television advertising for both sides, transforming a relatively sleepy contest into a bitter brawl.
Coakley has been criticised for a lacklustre campaign. She took almost a week off from the campaign trail around Christmas, at a time when Brown's appeal was on the rise.
Reuters