The Republican Party has had a successful night in the US mid-term elections, winning control of the Senate. Here a supporter of Republican candidate Thom Tillis celebrates his key victory in North Carolina over Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan.
The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, retained his seat in Kentucky.
And there were more smiling Republicans in Arkansas where Senate candidate Tom Cotton, above, defeated two-term incumbent Mark Pryor.
Voters also chose governors in 36 states and Republicans again did well. In Maryland, the state's Democratic Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, pictured, was defeated by Republican Larry Hogan.
These election workers at the Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, held a Bible while a judge read the voter's oath to them before polls opened.
There were also prayers at a rally in support of Republican candidate Bill Cassidy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Democrats scored a victory in Pennsylvania where businessman Tom Wolf, pictured, unseated Republican Governor Tom Corbett.
These supporters of Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown were left disappointed when he failed to unseat incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire.
Hank Schwab of Atlanta, Georgia, donned the campaign hat he has worn for the past 30 years at a gathering in support of Republican Senate candidate David Perdue. Mr Perdue won.
The Democrats have battled to stay ahead in the polls as President Barack Obama's approval ratings fell to the lowest they have been since he was elected.
