Seven states have polling averages within five points less than a week until Election Day, according to 538.
Seven Senate races could be decided by 5 or fewer percentage points as Democrats and Republicans fight for control of Congress’ upper chamber on Election Day, November 5, according to the latest polling averages.
Democrats were always expected to face an uphill battle to defend their slim Senate majority this year as they currently hold several seats in conservative-leaning or purple states.
Most political forecasters view the GOP as favored to win a narrow majority following a spate of polls suggesting that Republican Tim Sheehy is in a strong position to flip the Montana senate seat held by Democratic Senator Jon Tester.
But Democrats are putting up a stronger fight elsewhere, as polls show Senate Democrats performing better than Vice President Kamala Harris in the battleground states roughly viewed as toss-ups in her race against former President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Florida, Nebraska and Texas, three states they hoped to easily win, are facing potentially close races, polls show.
This map shows the closest Senate races ahead of Election Day.
In a statement to Newsweek, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Tommy Garcia said that Senate Democrats « are in the strongest possible position to defend our majority.
« We have better candidates, stronger campaigns and our candidates are attracting support from voters of every political persuasion », he said. « Senate Republicans’ deeply flawed candidates are hurting their prospects across the entire Senate map. »
Newsweek reached out to the National Republican Senatorial Committee for comment via email.