Election officials deny Usher was given special treatment

Election officials in Georgia have dismissed allegations USHER was given "preferential treatment" after the R&B star was whisked to the front of the queue at a polling station in Atlanta.

The Yeah! hitmaker turned out to cast his ballot at a community center in the suburb of Roswell when America went to the polls on Tuesday (06Nov12), but authorities were accused of allowing the singer to skip a long line of voters because of his star status.

Residents vented their anger to local TV station WSBTV and county election officials have now released a statement defending the decision to take the star to the front of the queue through a back entrance.

The statement, released to WSBTV, reads, "(The) Poll Manager... was directed to ensure that Mr. Raymond's (Usher) presence would not become a distraction by taking necessary measures to move Mr. Raymond through the process as expeditiously as possible. At no point was this decision made for preferential treatment, but to minimise and avoid a distraction at the poll."

Incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama was declared the winner following Tuesday's vote, gaining a second term in the White House.