WASHINGTON (AP) — The polls are starting to close in the eastern United States, and President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney each have an early victory.

As expected, Obama was the winner in Vermont, with three electoral votes, while Romney captured Kentucky's eight electoral votes.

Vermont voters also re-elected Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Still to come are the returns from the handful of states, including Ohio, Florida and Virginia, where Obama and Romney have concentrated their efforts in recent weeks.

An exit poll conducted nationwide today for The Associated Press finds that the economy is still at the top of the list of voter concerns, with 6 in 10 saying it's the biggest issue facing the nation.

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(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)