In three crucial states – Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio – the contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump remains incredibly close, according to polling data released by CNN/ORC today.
Voters were asked between 10 and 15 October which presidential candidate they support (the polls were conducted after the release of a video which showed Trump bragging about sexual assault). In Nevada, 46% of likely voters said they planned to back Clinton while 44% said they would support Trump. In North Carolina voters were split 48-47 in favor of Clinton, while in Ohio Clinton attracted only 44% of likely voters compared with Trump’s 48%.
The Clinton campaign seems to be well aware that they have work to do if they want to secure these three states, which together are worth 39 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the White House. On Monday, Clinton’s campaign announced a $6m advertising push in these three key battleground states as well as Florida, Pennsylvania, Iowa and New Hampshire.
The electoral map is looking increasingly impossible for Trump, according to the latest polling figures. Arizona, for example, which has consistently voted Republican in all but one of the past 10 presidential elections, is currently looking like an incredibly tight race. Polling averages show that less than one percentage point separates the two candidates here – no surprise then that Clinton campaign also plans to spend $2m on advertising in this traditionally red state too.
Although an overall Clinton win is looking increasingly likely, according to the current polls, complacency could cost her the election.
