US Election: Big players cast their votes as race to the White House goes down to the wire (VIDEO and GALLERY)

Nov 6 2012 By Cheryl Mullin

THE big players in the US election have cast their votes.

Vice president Joe Biden cast his vote at a school in Greenville, Delaware, shortly after the polls opened, waiting in line with his wife, son and daughter.

Mr Biden shook hands with and hugged other voters as he waited and told waiting reporters “it’s always a kick” to vote.

Click here to see the New York Times' interactive Paths to the White House graphic

Asked if he thought it was the last time he would vote for himself, he told reporters: “No, I don’t think so.”

Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan cast his ballot at a library his home town of Janesville, Wisconsin with his wife Janna.

Asked whether he and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would win the election, Mr Ryan said: “I think we are. I feel good about it.”

Mr Romney himself cast his ballot near his home in Massachusetts.

His wife Ann was at his side as the pair cast their ballots in Belmont a little before 9am.

The Republican presidential candidate will return to Boston later for an election day reception at Boston Convention Centre.

US President Barack Obama voted last month, a move intended to encourage early voting that tends to favour Democrats.

But he extended congratulations to rival Mitt Romney “on a spirited campaign” as he paid a visit to Wisconsin campaign volunteers from a campaign office near his Chicago home.

Speaking briefly to reporters he said he was “confident we’ve got the votes to win”, and that he and first lady Michelle Obama were grateful to all of the campaign volunteers who have worked hard on his behalf.