Races heat up day before election

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - With just a day before this year's election, the fight is on for races across the board.

Many Hoosiers said while they're interested in many of the different races, they're most interested in this year's presidential race.

"The presidential race, the governor one and definitely some of the state representatives," West Lafayette resident Mary Jo Plake said.

"I think the races are going to be very close," Lafayette resident Stephen Kitley said. "I think Obama is going to win."

"I think most eyes will be glued to Ohio," political science professor Jay McCann said. "I think their polls close at 7:30 and that will be the one to watch. Because as Ohio goes, so does the country I guess is the saying."

On a state race level experts said Democratic Representative Joe Donnelly holds a late lead in polls over Republican candidate Richard Mourdock in the costly Indiana Senate race.

"It does show that theres a pretty good spread now between Donnelly and Mourdock, a double-digit difference," McCann said.

"Everybody is going to be interested in that," founder of C-SPAN Brian Lamb said. "It will make a difference if Joe Donnelly wins, it will shape the Senate."

When it comes to the fight to become Indiana's next governor, experts said a recent poll shows Republican candidate Mike Pence is favored.

"As for the Gregg and Pence race, Pence is out of the margin of error there over Gregg by six or seven points as I remember," McCann said. "That's somewhat tight but really what you have to say is there is an advantage for Pence."

But with just a day before the polls close, the choice is now in the voters' hands.

"I'm hoping everyone will go out and vote, because it's important to do so," Lafayette resident Andrea Schmidt said.

"I'm just hoping that this big turn out means we're going to have a change," Plake said.

"I'm just looking forward to it being over," West Lafayette resident Doug Anderson said. "I have several people that I hope get elected and I look forward to the votes."

Stay tuned into News 18 and WLFI.com for your complete election coverage Tuesday.