Latest US elections: first polling stations close, as initial exit polls reveal voters' biggest concerns

All eyes are rightly on the presidential election taking place today, but another major election is underway that will determine how effective the next president will be.

The House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the US Congress, is also up for election, as it is every two years – and the winning presidential candidate will want his party to control the chamber so he can pass his legislation.

The head of House Democrats’ campaign operations spoke to the media this afternoon and said it could take a week or more before the final outcome – and therefore the balance of power – is officially determined.

Rep. Suzan DelBene told Sky’s US partner network NBC News that with more voters choosing to cast their ballots by post, it could ultimately take as long for results to be announced as the 2022 midterm elections – which take eight days names.

In 2022, Republicans won the House of Representatives by just 6,675 votes, which was the result of the five closest races.

Some of those contests were decided by fewer than 1,000 votes.