'Ready for both': Canadians prepare for any outcome as Trump takes key states

Americans anxiously watched as the results of Tuesday's election rolled in, revealing a deeply divided United States as a handful of critical battleground states were still being counted late into the night.

Americans anxiously watched as the results of Tuesday's election rolled in, revealing a deeply divided United States as a handful of critical battleground states were still being counted late into the night.

Former president Donald Trump took the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia, sending a warning signal to Democrats holding hope that Vice-President Kamala Harris could still take Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

"If you had asked me earlier, I would have said cautiously optimistic, I think seeing the numbers come in, I am feeling more trepidation," said Alessia Stewart at a watch party in Washington where disappointment echoed through the room each time Trump showed gains. "But still trying to hold on to some optimism."

Harris's campaign chair sent a memo to staff late Tuesday that the Midwestern "blue wall" states were the Democrat's "clearest path" to victory and they were prepared for vote counting to continue through Wednesday morning.

As the chaotic presidential campaign reached its peak, many Americans remained caught between concern and excitement. Bars throughout the U.S. capital were packed with people watching the results come in.

At Union Pub near Capitol Hill, election specials included the Dirty Walz -- with Mountain Dew, vodka and grenadine -- and They're Drinking The Cats -- with whiskey and sour mix served with cat straws.

Some businesses had already boarded up windows and security fences were erected outside the White House, putting some visitors to the famous building on edge about violence on election day.