UPDATE - Republican Governor Ron DeSantis wins another term in Florida

ADDS DESANTIS' SPEECH

By Rabia Iclal Turan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Republican Governor Ron DeSantis was reelected Tuesday in the US state of Florida, according to an Associated Press tally.

DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, securing a second term.

DeSantis is widely considered to be former President Donald Trump’s likely 2024 presidential rival.

Delivering his victory speech, DeSantis said: "Today, after four years, the people have delivered their verdict. Freedom is here to stay."

“We've accomplished more than anybody thought possible four years ago, but we've got so much more to do, and I have only begun to fight,” he said while his supporters chanted "two more years,” a reference to his potential ambitions to run for president in 2024.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters in Florida that he voted for DeSantis as he left a polling station alongside his wife, Melania.

Millions of Americans headed to the polls in the country’s midterm elections Tuesday, with 35 Senate seats as well as all 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs.

People are likely to continue voting in their respective states after the official closure time if they get in line before polls are scheduled to shutter, or perhaps if there are significant glitches with voting machines.

High voter turnout could further result in long lines of people waiting to cast ballots at polling stations even after closing time comes and goes.

In the US, states control the running of elections, and each will set its rules and regulations in line with federal law.