Senate Balance 2020

We can all agree that this is the most important election of our lifetimes. I hate that advertising sways elections, but it does. Each individual can give a maximum of $2,800 per candidate.

Both sides have cast doubt on the results of the election. It is critical that you VOTE and get everyone you know to vote. Given the pandemic and the reduced number of polling places, it is also important that you avoid the polls on election day if you can, to leave room for those who cannot vote early. Finally, there is some question about whether mail-in votes will arrive in time and whether they will be counted, so get your ballot to your state officials by other means if you can.

1. Vote early at an ID-checking early polling place if possible.
2. Vote early at a drop box if that is not possible.
3. Vote on election day if neither is possible.
4. If none of those is possible, vote by mail as early as possible.

Very Close Races

State	Incumbent Party	Polls	Poll Margin	Campaign Sites	Links	Notes
Alaska	Republican	tied	?		Wikipedia	Limited polling data. Competitor is independent.
Georgia	Republican	42.4D, 44.4R	2.0R	D, R	Wikipedia	Georgia is generally safe for Republicans.
Iowa	Republican	44.8D, 44.8R	0	D, R	Wikipedia
Kansas	Republican	44D, 46R	2.0R		Wikipedia	limited polling data
Montana	Republican	45.5D, 47.5R	2.0R		Wikipedia
South Carolina	Republican	46.5D, 47.0R	0.5R		Wikipedia	Lindsey Graham (R) is the well-known incumbent.

Close Races

State	Incumbent Party	Polls	Poll Margin	Links	Notes
Colorado	Republican	50.7D, 43.3R	7.4D	Wikipedia
Maine	Republican	48.4D, 43.0R	5.4D	Wikipedia	Susan Collins (R) is the well-known incumbent.
Michigan	Democrat	46.8D, 41.6R	5.2D	Wikipedia
New Mexico	Democrat	49D, 40R	9.0D	Wikipedia	limited polling data
North Carolina	Republican	47.2D, 41.2R	6.0D	Wikipedia
Texas	Republican	39.8D, 45.6R	5.8R	Wikipedia	John Cornyn (R) is the well-known incumbent.

Possibility to Flip

Current balance is 53:47, meaning 3 are needed for an even balance. The VP casts the tie-breaking vote, so one more is needed for a VP-proof majority.

Probable to Flip

These states appear likely to flip with more than a 10 point margin for the competitor to the incumbent.

1. Alabama will flip from Democrat to Republican.
2. Arizona will flip from Republican to Democrat.

Close Races

These are the states that appear in the "Close Races" tables, above.

Unlikely to Flip

These states are unlikely to flip, with the incumbent having a lead of greater than 10%.

1. New Hampshire (D)
2. Idaho (R)
3. Kentucky (R)
4. Minnesota (D)
5. Mississippi (R)
6. New Jersey (D)
7. Oklahoma (R)
8. Virginia (D)

Insufficient Data

Additionally, the following states are having a Senate vote this year but did not have polling data readily available and will require more research:

1. Arkansas
2. Delaware
3. Illinois
4. Louisiana
5. Massachusetts
6. Nebraska
7. Oregon
8. Rhode Island
9. South Dakota
10. Tennessee
11. West Virginia
12. Wyoming

FWIW, I think these are not heavily polled because they are secure with the incumbent party.