Polls: Race is even in N.C., while Clinton up in Florida

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are in a virtual tie in North Carolina, according to a poll released Tuesday by Elon University.

Trump led Clinton by 1-point (44%-43%) in the new poll, but that number is well within the margin of error. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson had 6% support.

Clinton had a massive lead with African-American voters in the state, 98%-2%. Trump led with white voters, 65%-35%.

North Carolina has voted for a Democrat only once since 1980 — Barack Obama in 2008 — but the changing demographics of the state have led many Democrats to believe they can be competitive there.

Elon University also released a down-ballot poll on Monday that found Republican incumbent Richard Burr and his Democratic challenger Deborah Ross separated by just 1-point. Ross was ahead, 44%-43%.

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has a small edge (though still within the margin of error) over his Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper (49%-46%.)

The telephone poll included 644 likely North Carolina voters. The survey was conducted Sept. 12-16 and had a margin of error of 3.86 points.

In Florida, meanwhile, Clinton led Trump by 5 points, according to a Monmouth University poll also released Tuesday.

Clinton had the backing of 46% of likely Florida voters, while Trump had 41% support. Johnson had 6% support and Green Party candidate Jill Stein had 1%.

The 5-point margin has narrowed since the poll was released last month — Clinton was 9 points ahead at the time.

In the Senate race, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was 2 points ahead of Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy, 47%-45%. That 2-point difference is within the margin of error.

The Monmouth University poll was conducted via telephone Sept. 16-19 of 400 likely Florida voters. The survey has a margin of error of 4.9 points.