PHOTO GALLERY: Barack Obama elected to second term

By The Associated Press

November 7, 2012 | 1:33 a.m. CST

Supporters reacted to the announcement that President Barack Obama won a second term in office.

President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Gov., Mitt Romney. | The Associated Press

President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd at his election party early Wednesday in Chicago. | The Associated Press

President Barack Obama, with his daughter Malia, waves toward the crowd at his election party. | The Associated Press

President Barack Obama speaks at his election party Wednesday in Chicago. | The Associated Press

Supporters react to the results at the election night party for President Barack Obama on Tuesday in Chicago. | The Associated Press

Supporters cheer at President Barack Obama's election night party Tuesday in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. | The Associated Press

Supporters of President Barack Obama react to media outlets predicting his re-election in New York's Times Square on Tuesday in New York. | The Associated Press

A U.S. Embassy employee, left, carries away the cardboard cutout of Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, as a woman, center, poses for a photo only with the cutout of President Barack Obama at a presidential election event organized by the U.S. embassy in Beijing on Wednesday. | The Associated Press

Confetti falls over supporters at the end of President Barack Obama's remarks during an election party. | The Associated Press