Polls Show Joe Biden, Donald Trump In Close Battle For Key Swing State

Recent polls show presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump in a tough battle for key swing-state North Carolina. The current RealClearPolitics polling average shows Trump leading by a 0.7-point margin in a state that is considered crucial for his chances of winning a second term.

An Emerson poll last week shows Trump at 48% support in the state, with Biden at 46%. A recent Civitas/Harper survey shows Biden leading by 1 point, 45%-44%.

North Carolina, which as 15 electoral votes, is expected to be among the most-watched states on Election Day. The Raleigh News and Observer noted how the state's changing demographics may mean defeats for Republicans after years of strong showings.

In 2016, Trump held off Hillary Clinton in North Carolina, 49.83% to 46.17%. Former Democratic President Barack Obama carried North Carolina in 2008 but Mitt Romney won it in 2012.

Other races in North Carolina have also gained attention. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, is fighting for another term against Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. A Civitas/Harper survey conducted in May shows Cooper with a 12-point lead over Forest, 49% to 37%.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, is in a tough race to keep his seat against Democrat Cal Cunningham. A recent CNBC/Change Research survey shows Cunningham leading Tillis by 5 points, 48%-43%.

Democrats need to flip either three or four seats to win a majority in the Senate.