People check in for early voting at a polling location at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images
The majority of voters said they made up their minds about who they are supporting in the midterm elections at least two months ago — before the whirlwind of late-state campaigning and big-dollar spending.
Why it matters: The final stretch of the midterm campaign has the opportunity to sway just a sliver of voters — but in a razor-thin battle for the Senate, that small slice of voters could push one party over the edge.
Driving the news: 68% of registered voters said they made up their minds to support specific candidates in Tuesday's elections before September and 10% said they made up their minds in September, per a new NBC News poll.
- Meanwhile, 8% of registered voters said they made up their minds in October, 3% said in the last week and 2% said they decided in the last few days.
What to watch: 7% of registered voters said they still might change their mind, per the NBC News poll.
The big picture: The cost of this cycle's state and federal midterm elections is projected to exceed $16.7 billion, per Open Secrets.
- Federal candidates and political committees are expected to spend $8.9 billion.
- The Senate races that are likely to determine control of the chamber have been among the most expensive, with Pennsylvania leading the pack.
- In fact, five of the 10 most expensive congressional races are Senate races rated toss-ups by the Cook Political Report, Open Secrets notes.
Flashback: As of Sept. 20, more than $4.8 billion had already been spent on the 2022 federal elections, per Open Secrets.
Zoom in: As of Oct. 21, outside groups spent more than $58.9 million after Oct. 4, when the Cook Political Report shifted the Pennsylvania Senate race from leaning Democrat to a toss-up, per Open Secrets.
State of play: High-profile politicians were out on the trail this weekend in a final sprint before Tuesday, issuing stark warnings about what's at stake in the midterm elections.
- "Sulking and moping is not an option," former President Obama said in Pennsylvania, AP reports.
- "On Tuesday, let’s make sure our country doesn’t get set back 50 years."
Former President Trump, in a rally also in Pennsylvania over the weekend, said: "If you want to stop the destruction of our country and save the American dream, then on Tuesday you must vote Republican in a giant red wave," per AP.
Go deeper... 3 presidents target Pennsylvania for 2022 closing arguments