2016 Election: The Best Photos from Election Day

The best photographs from the U.S. presidential election between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

A Momentous Election Day

TIME’s photo editors select the best photographs on Nov. 8 after a campaign season that lasted 18 months and pitted the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, against Republican nominee Donald Trump. Nov. 8-9, 2016

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMEPresident-elect Donald Trump speaks during his Victory Party early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMESupporters cheer for President-elect Donald Trump at his Victory Party early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Chelsea Matiash—TIMEPresident-elect Donald Trump addresses his Victory Night party early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 in New York City. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

 

Donald Trump, Election Night Hilton Hotel NYC
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA hat is displayed at President-elect Donald Trump’s Victory Party in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

Donald Trump, Election Night Hilton Hotel NYC
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEPresident-elect Donald Trump is joined onstage by his family at his Victory Party early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton embrace at the Javits Center in New York on Nov. 8, 2016.
Landon Nordeman for TIMESupporters of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton embrace at the Javits Center in New York early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016.

 

2016 Election
Mark Lennihan—APA boy holds a photo of Hillary Clinton during an election night block party in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood, on Nov. 8, 2016, in the in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

 

Scenes at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 in New York's Manhattan borough. Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the contest for president of the United States.
Dina Litovsky for TIMEA supporter cheers at the election night party for Donald Trump at the Hilton Hotel, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York.

 

NEW YORK - NOV 8: Supporters attend an election night party for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York’s Manhattan borough.(Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Landon Nordeman for TIMEA balloon shaped like a donkey is seen at an election night party for Hillary Clinton at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York.

 

Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton Holds Election Night Event In New York City
Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesPeople watch voting results in front of an American flag at Hillary Clinton’s election night event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Nov.8, 2016 in New York City.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMESupporters watch poll updates at an election night party for Donald Trump, at the Hilton Hotel, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Ben Lowy for TIMEScenes at an election night party for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

People wave American flags as they watch voting results be reported outside of Hillary Clinton's election night event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York City.
Aaron P. Bernstein—Getty ImagesPeople wave American flags as they watch voting results be reported outside of Hillary Clinton’s election night event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York City.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Ben Lowy for TIMEScenes at an election night party for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

People wait for results outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where Hillary Clinton is holding her election night event, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York City.
Aaron P. Bernstein—Getty ImagesPeople wait for results outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where Hillary Clinton is holding her election night event, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York City.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMEA guest at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

The stage at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 in New York's Manhattan borough. Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the contest for president of the United States.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEThe stage at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

NEW YORK - NOV 8: Supporters attend an election night party for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York’s Manhattan borough.(Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Landon Nordeman for TIMESupporters attend an election night party for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

NEW YORK - NOV 8: Supporters attend an election night party for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York’s Manhattan borough.(Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Landon Nordeman for TIMESupporters attend an election night party for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMEAt an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

TIMEPOL Election
Dina Litovsky for TIMEOmarosa Manigault at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough.

 

Omarosa Manigault at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 in New York's Manhattan borough. Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the contest for president of the United States.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOmarosa Manigault at an election night party for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 in New York’s Manhattan borough. Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the contest for president of the United States.

APTOPIX 2016 Election Trump
Julie Jacobson—APA television crew member walks along a balcony while setting up for Donald Trump’s election night rally, on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York.

 

Germany Watches U.S. Elections Results
Sean Gallup—Getty ImagesA guest clutches a magazine showing a stylized Hillary Clinton and that reads: “Madam President” at the Democrats Abroad U.S. elections party on Nov. 8, 2016 in Berlin, Germany.

 

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In New York City
Spencer Platt—Getty ImagesBroadcast media journalists prepare ahead of Donald Trump’s election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York City.

 

A voter holds onto his ballot as he waits to cast it in the U.S. presidential election at midnight in tiny Dixville Notch
Mary Schwalm—ReutersA voter holds onto his ballot as he waits to cast it in the U.S. presidential election at midnight, on Nov. 7, 2016 in tiny Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

 

Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump vote at PS 59 on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York.
Carlo Allegri—ReutersDonald Trump and his wife Melania Trump vote at PS 59 on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York.

Hillary Clinton and her husband Bill Clinton leave after casting their ballots at a polling station, on Nov. 8, 2016, in Chappaqua, New York.
Yin Bogu—Xinhua/Alamy Live NewsHillary Clinton and her husband Bill Clinton leave after casting their ballots at a polling station, on Nov. 8, 2016, in Chappaqua, New York.

 

Voters lined up on election day to place "I voted" stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony at Mt. Hope Cemetery, on Nov. 8, 2016 in Rochester, NY.
Max Schulte—Democrat and Chronicle/USA TODAY Network/Sipa USAVoters lined up on election day to place “I voted” stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony at Mt. Hope Cemetery, on Nov. 8, 2016 in Rochester, NY.

 

APTOPIX 2016 Election Virginia Voting
Shelby Lum—Richmond Times Dispatch/APVoters line up in voting booths to cast their ballots at Robious Elementary School on Nov. 8, 2016, in Chesterfield, Va.

 

A voter works on his ballot at a polling station on election day, on Nov. 8, 2016, in Omaha, Neb.
Nati Harnik—APA voter works on his ballot at a polling station on election day, on Nov. 8, 2016, in Omaha, Neb.

 

A woman exits a polling station after voting in the presidential election on Nov. 8, 2016. in Newport, New Jersey.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez—AFP/Getty ImagesA woman exits a polling station after voting in the presidential election on Nov. 8, 2016. in Newport, New Jersey.

Chelsea Matiash, who edited this photo essay, is TIME’s Deputy Multimedia Editor. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @cmatiash.

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