Here come the North Carolina election results

What could be the most critical swing state of 2016 is also one in which the polls are the tightest: North Carolina.

The latest RealClearPolitics polling average showed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton trailing Republican nominee Donald Trump by 1 point. The state's 15 electoral votes will prove critical if Trump has any hope of defeating Clinton. If he wins the state, Trump's path toward 270 is more plausible.

In 2012, Republican nominee Mitt Romney won the Tar Heel State. But in the prior election, in 2008, President Barack Obama was able to pull out a victory.

Polls close in North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. EST.

The state also is home to a very competitive Senate race, as well as one for governor. The RCP average showed incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr leading Democratic nominee Deborah Ross by 2 points. In the race for governor, Democratic nominee Roy Cooper held a 2.2-point lead over incumbent Republican Gov. Pat McCrory in the polling average.

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