Should the fingers hurt?

Brand newbie just starting - I want to learn the electric guitar. Should the left hand fingers hurt when stretching them to reach around the neck to the frets of the low E string? Is this normal? I want to be sure that my hand and finger positioning is good as I do the exercises.

Do you have a bend in your wrist while doing this? Is your thumb in the proper position behind the neck? Reaching the 6 string, low E, is much more easier to access with a bend in your wrist.

In addition to what joesef already metioned, position the guitar so, that the headstock is on your shouder height. If you are using a strap it should hold the guitar, you shouldn't carry it with your fretting hand. If you're play sitting, rest the guitar to your left leg, maybe using a foot stool or such to raise the leg higher.

Keep the thumb behind the neck opposite to middle finger. That should give your fingers the maximum reachability on the neck. And the most important thing. Don't use any more force and pressure than necessary to keep the string(s) playing. Spend a time to experience the least amount of pressure you need. Also remember to relax the fingers everytime they aren't fretting the strings.

Also make sure that you are not tilting the guitar up toward your face so you can see better. Doing this forces you to twist your wrist more than you should and will make it more difficult. To look at what you are doing, lean forward and look down.

In the beginner lessons there are lessons on proper posture. Christopher talks about the "axis of power" or something like that and illustrates the issue I'm bringing up.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I'll put them to task and see how it works out.