Voterс on the US East Coast in New York and New Jersey, embattled by the monstrous storm Sandy, are facing long lines and chaos on Election Day.

Nevertheless, in areas damaged by Sandy a week ago, turnout was described as heavy. One high school being used as a shelter for displaced families doubled up as a voting poll.

In New York residents can vote in any section regardless of their registered address. NJ is allowing voting by email or fax.

Meanwhile, the forecast calls for more inclement weather on Wednesday, with winds with speed of 95 km/h, a mix of snow and rain, and temperatures close to freezing. More evacuations are underway while 900 000 households remain without power.

CNN reports long lines and sporadic problems with voting machines causing snags in some key states during Tuesday's closely watched US election.

Voters have waited for two hours in northern Virginia and three hours in some parts of south Florida, leading some people to walk away before casting a ballot.

In Pennsylvania, nonpartisan election monitors from Philadelphia's Committee of Seventy said two voting machines had broken down at one precinct on the city's north side, forcing poll workers to issue provisional ballots. That slowed down an already long line, and at least 30 voters had dropped out.

A judge in the predominantly Democratic city ordered election officials to cover a mural of President Barack Obama at one city school that was being used as a polling location after Republicans complained the painting violated electioneering laws.

Voting is generally held at schools, but there are some unusual spots used as polls, such as a laundromat and an internet coffee chop in Chicago, and a car dealership in Ohio.