Countdown to Election 2012

Matt Wotus and John Santos 
Editor-in-Chief and News Editor

With just four days to go until Election Day, President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney are fighting hard, each trying to win the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election. Recent polls on CNN show that this historically close race may be widening just a bit, in the president’s favor. The national poll, a CNN Poll of Polls, updated on November 1, shows a narrow, one point lead for Obama. The lead is so small that it is considered a tie among most pollsters. This differs from a poll on October 29, which showed Romney having a one point advantage. The website Real Clear Politics has the race for the White House basically tied, with Obama holding a 0.3 point over Romney.

Recent CNN polls also show Obama with leads in key battleground states. As of November 1, the president had a six point lead in Iowa, three point lead in Wisconsin, and a two point lead in both Colorado and New Hampshire. As of October 31, Obama had a five point lead in Ohio, two point lead in Virginia, as well as a one point lead in Florida. In addition, approximately 54 percent of a poll conducted by Gallup believes Obama will win the election, compared to 34 percent for Romney. The battleground states are incredibly important for both candidates, but especially Romney. Ohioans have voted for the winner of every presidential election since 1964. In addition, no Republican has ever won the election without winning Ohio.

Campaign spending is reaching new heights this year, with both candidates spending millions on advertising in the battleground states. In Ohio, Obama for America has spent over $72 million, while Romney for President has spent over $40 million. In Florida, the numbers are similar, with Obama for America spending over $65 million on advertising and Romney for President spending almost $45 million. Finally, in Virginia, Obama for America has spent almost $50 million and Romney for President has spent just over $30 million. The numbers mentioned above are for advertising only, and don’t include organizations such as the Democratic and Republican National Committees, among others. According to USA Today, total campaign spending for 2012 elections, both presidential and congressional, could reach a record of $5.8 billion.   

Despite rumors that Election Day could be pushed back because of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation in the northeast, experts say that a delayed Election Day is not likely, as it would take an act of Congress to push back the date. However, some states are making alternative plans for voters affected by the storm. For example, New Jersey, the hardest hit state, may use paper ballots instead of using electronic devices. In addition, many states, including New Jersey, may extend voting hours at certain polling places.

Another concern is how the hurricane has affected campaign plans of the two candidates, and how the interruption in campaigning during the final week of the election will affect voters’ decisions. Obama spent three days off the campaign trail, focusing solely on the hurricane relief effort, while Romney converted a planned campaign rally into a hurricane relief benefit.

Early voting is at a record high this election year; up to 40 percent voters are expected to vote early. As of October 29, more than 12.3 million votes had been cast at early voting stations. The Obama campaign, which benefited greatly from early voting in 2008 in North Carolina, hopes to grow their early voting lead in states such as New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada and Florida enough to secure those states as victories. However, according to USA Today, early voting totals in seven swing states indicate nothing but an extremely close race for the White House.

Specifically in North Carolina, early voting numbers topped two million on Thursday, November 1. Early voting ends on November 3, with Election Day on November 6.