8 Senate Races to Watch

It’s Election Day, folks, and we're here to give you the low-down. All eyes are certainly on the Senate, where Democrats have a chance to keep their majority, provided they can win a few close races. Here's what's happening, according to the Washington Post, complete with links to our patented story grids on each race.

The Nailbiters

• Nevada: Harry Reid is leading in early vote totals, but polls give Sharron Angle the slight edge, in what’s easily the least pleasant race in the country. (Check out our grid on the race here.)
• Colorado: Appointed Democrat Michael Bennet and prosecutor Ken Buck are dead even in the closest race in the country. The parties have spent $33 million here, more than anywhere else. (grid)
• Illinois: Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is a mere two points ahead of Mark Kirk, with a stunning 16% undecided. With that many wafflers, voters probably aren’t fond of either. (grid)
• Alaska: Thanks to Lisa Murkowski’s independent write-in campaign, no one’s entirely sure what’s going to happen in this one—except that it could be messy. (grid)
• West Virginia: Obama’s really unpopular here, but Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin still has a slim edge over businessman John Raese in most polls. (grid)

Upset Potential

• Washington: Democrat Patty Murray is popular, but recent polls show Dino Rossi surging. (grid)
• Wisconsin: Newcomer Ron Johnson finds himself surprisingly ahead of Russ Feingold, but Democrats are holding out hope for the popular veteran senator. (grid)
• California: Barbara Boxer has a slim lead, but low approval ratings make an upset for ex-HP CEO Carly Fiorina entirely possible—even though she's not well-liked, either. (grid)

Done Deals

• Rand Paul and Marco Rubio seem set to prevail. Christine O'Donnell, meanwhile, has always been doomed.

(More Nevada senate race stories.)