Alabama senate election: Why does it matter, what has Roy Moore been accused of and who is expected to win?

With less than 24 hours until the special senate election between Roy Moore and Doug Jones, voices are being raised in support of and opposition to the Republican candidate who has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault when they were teenagers.

It is an election that has divided the Republican Party, has seen the political comeback of Barack Obama and has shone a national spotlight on the views and attitudes of people towards women who accuse men of abusing them and towards their alleged perpetrators.

Polls show the Republican leading by single digits, but experts and pollsters appear to have reached a consensus: that the results of a special election two weeks before Christmas are anyone's guess.

Why does the White House support Roy Moore?

After weeks of dithering about whether the White House should officially endorse Roy Moore for the Senate following allegations of child molestation, Donald Trump travelled to a rally within 20 miles of the Alabama border and called on crowds to vote for the Republican.

The President’s rallying cry in Pensacola, Florida – “So get out and vote for Roy Moore” – marked an end to the analysis of vague comments from the likes of Kellyanne Conway and Mitch McConnell, who argued that Mr Moore’s opponent was “weak” on crime and immigration.

Ivanka Trump said there was a “special place in hell” for people who abused children, but as the race to the Senate between Mr Moore and his opponent Doug Jones appeared increasingly tight, all caution was thrown to the wind. Mr Moore has received full financial backing from the Republican National Convention.

High-profile support has refuelled Mr Moore’s campaign. “With the media & Washington elite doing everything they can to stop us, we need all hands on deck!” tweeted Mr Moore, adding that Mr Trump was the “best supporter”.

Former President Barack Obama most recently called for voters to reject the Republican, without explicitly mentioning his name.

“This one's serious,” he said in a pre-recorded message to target black voters. “You can't sit it out.”

What is at stake in the election?

If Doug Jones wins, it would be the first time the state has sent a Democratic senator to Washington DC in almost two decades. A Democrat victory would also stretch the already thin majority of Republicans in the state and make it more difficult for the Conservatives to push through legislation.

If Moore wins, it will highlight the success of gradual gerrymandering on the part of the Republican Party and the unwavering loyalty of the Republican National Convention and its base – whatever the cost.

Who is Roy Moore?

The former Alabama Supreme Court judge and district attorney in Etowah County has built up strong support from his conservative base over decades.

He is a Christian, and much of his policy appeared to be rooted in his faith, including establishing a Ten Commandments monument at the Alabama courthouse. He has also opposed measures which would advance gay rights. In 2002, he denied a mother custody of her children because she was dating another woman – while the father of the children was allegedly abusing them. He declared being gay was an “inherent evil” and makes for an “unfit parent”.

Before the allegations became national news, he had little profile in the US. Most recently it was revealed he advocated scrapping constitutional amendments after the Tenth Amendment to “eliminate many problems” in the structuring of the US government.

What are the allegations against him?

The Washington Post recounted allegations from a woman who said Mr Moore asked her for her phone number when she was 14 years old, and took her a few days later to his house in the woods several times, during which he allegedly groped her. There were three other on-the-record allegations against Mr Moore – the women said they were teenagers when he pursued them in his 30s.

After the story ran, another five women came forward. There are now eight on-the-record allegations.

Mr Moore has denied the allegations, saying that he has “never engaged in sexual misconduct”.

“As a father of a daughter and a grandfather of five granddaughters, I condemn the actions of any man who engages in sexual misconduct not just against minors but against any woman,” he said.

What happened in the Republican primary?

Mr Moore won the primary against Senator Luther Strange, who had backing from the President. Mr Moore had the support of the President’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon.

During a rally in September, Mr Moore was asked by a black member of the audience when he last thought America was great. Mr Moore replied: “I think it was great at the time when families were united — even though we had slavery — they cared for one another. Our families were strong, our country had a direction.”

Do all Republicans support Mr Moore?

No. Many Republican senators and commentators have called Mr Moore’s accusers credible and some have even discussed expelling Mr Moore should he win.

Republican Senator Richard Shelby told CNN: “I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore. I didn’t vote for Roy Moore”, adding his state “deserves better”.

Arizona Republican Jeff Flake wrote a check to Doug Jones, and Nebraska RNC committeewoman Joyce Simmons resigned over the committee's support for Mr Moore.

Amy Siskind, founder of The New Agenda, tweeted: “As bad as the paedophilia allegations are against Roy Moore, can we also not lose sight of his slavery comments, his views on Jews and gays. That this “man” can be a viable candidate for senate, AND have the backing not only of Trump but the RNC, is a stain on our great country.”

After Mr Trump’s support failed to get Luther Strange through the primary, it remains to be seen how influential his backing of Mr Moore will be.