Clinton And Trump Neck And Neck As The Election Enters Final Week

There are nine days until the United States elects its 45th president. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are now running neck and neck nationally and races in crucial swing states are equally tight. The FBI’s decision to re-open an investigation into Clinton’s emails.

Clinton enjoys a six point lead in North Carolina, a swing state Trump will almost certainly need to win if he wants to win the White House. Two new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls  show a virtual tie in Florida. Florida is a hugely important state, especially for the Republicans. It is unlikely Trump can win without picking up Florida’s 29 electoral college votes.

Clinton has lost ground based on the last round of polls. The Democrat has lost a few points in Florida as Trump and his surrogates have campaigned hard to make up lost ground. By contrast, Clinton has gained two points in North Carolina. These polls may show the unprecedented nature of the 2016 election.

The polls also show Clinton enjoys greater support than Trump in early voting. Early voting generally favors Republicans because demographic groups more loyal to the GOP are more likely to choose early voting. Clinton is ahead 54 to 37 among early voters in Florida. The new FBI investigation into Clinton’s emails could affect voters in swing states.