the polls are opening now in several western states. voting has been underway for hours up-and-down the east coast. the stakes? republicans need a net game gain of six seats to win. and the prevailing narrative it will be a good night for the gop it's far from a done deal. eight of the ten most competitive senate races are within four points and the state level, listen to this, half of the three dozens governor's races are just too close to call. a lot of action to get to this hour with complete analysis and reporting from key races across the country. and who better to kick off our coverage than meet the press moderator chuck todd. good morning! >> good morning, jose! >> what a pleasure to see you. i know, you're a big football fan. give us the keys to the game. what will you be watching for tonight? >> very early on i'm watching the early poll closings in three states here. north carolina, georgia, and new hampshire. north carolina and new hampshire

feature democratic incumbent. they have been ahead for most of this campaign. the late surge by republicans in those states has made those races closers. if republicans are winning just one of those two then i think it means it's not a question of if the republicans get the majority in the senate, but how big their majority is going to be. with georgia, also an early poll closing time what if david purdue avoids a runoff. can either avoid it or destine for a runoff there. early on i'm looking looing there. we're just going to be focussed, i would say, on these four states right here for a long period of time. iowa, colorado, kansas, and alaska. because if democrats are holding here i think it means iowa and colorado are probably a little bit tighter than we think they are now. of course, the crazy independent versus republican in kansas. it could be a long night of counting out of alaska. we need to know all of these. it could be hours if not days to find out who is controlling the

senate. >> i'm not sure it's a done deal for any particular political party. talk about what the midterms mean for president obama and his agenda. >> i think it's pretty stark. if democrats lose the senate there's one person they have to blame. they're not going to look at themselves in the mirror. republicans have made this entire campaign particularly this last month and a half about president obama. if they win the senate it means they successfully made it a referendum. i think he becomes a man on the island. you'll have to see he's probably going to some intent to recalibrate. make the effort to reach out. a lot of republicans -- the class of republican senators are getting elected with a message that said they want to get stuff down done. they want to be pragmatic in their governing style. how does president obama reach out to them. is there a meeting in the middle there? i'll tell you, it is -- i think that democrats could start running away from him even faster if they lose the senate

tonight. all will feel as if it's on him and they may start saying, you know, it's time to focus on '16. >> yeah. even though they ran away from him during the campaign season. >> yeah. i think they're going to second guess themselves on that. the republican message is president obama is the problem. the democratic message is, you know, you're right. president obama is a problem. what do the voters in the middle hear? president obama is a problem. democrats didn't really have a counter offensive message, i think. i think they're going backseat drive themselves on this going forward. >> chuck, talk to me about colorado. i am convinced there that the latino vote there is going to be key. i mean, it's not going to be necessarily a sharon angle, you know, kind of vote in nevada last time around, but i think they're going to be important in determining who wins this race. >> it is. and you know what if cory gardener is getting 35, 36, 37%. what if it gets close to 40. what if latinos turn out on a

lower number. some are going to say while maybe, you know, the president delayed his immigration action, frankly, basically, at the request of these two senators. if you want to know the truth. it was the conservatives, democrats in arkansas and mary landrieu in louisiana who were scared of the immigration issue becoming a key issue for them. he delayed it basically for them. mark udall needed that immigration action to happen to inspire latinos to the poll. they may still lose the two states and lose this one. i wonder if it was a cut off your nose to spite your face. >> if there are runoffs we'll have to wait until december or january to see who wins in some of these races. what is the president going to do? specifically he was asked by those senators to hold to keep his it dry. he said he was going act before the end of the year. >> i did my tour in the south i

think it fires up in the republican base in louisiana and georgia that probably potentially makes the races unwinnable for them. i think it ties his hands. if we have runoffs that will decide the battle for the senate, we sort of have an extended election year for another 30 to 60 days. boy, it's going to shake up a lot of things. i think you'll have an odd lame duck session of congress. i think the president will probably delay immigration even longer at that point. again, this would absolutely, i think, be nails in the coffin then in those two states in particular. and, by the way, it probably delays the start of the presidential race. there are a few republicans that may jump in the race in the next week to ten days if the senate is decided. if not it will look crass if you do. i think it means there's a 60 day hold of anything happening in washington whether it's presidential politics, immigration politics, or lame duck congressional politics. >> fascinating stuff. i can't let you go.

we're two florida guys keeping it close to home. the florida governor's race. the poll it's a fan blade slice difference between the two. >> fan blade. it's tighter than a wearing a speedo in the summer or something like that. i don't know. have to come up with a ratherism on that one. you look at it four years ago it was this close. it does look like democrats perform lightly better in the early vote than they did four years ago. if you look at it under those circumstances you have to figure out, you know, alex came up 50,000 votes short. you have to tell you the libertarian candidate. there's none of the above atmosphere in the country. especially in florida turned off by the negativity of the campaign. does the anti-scott vote cost kcrist a potential vote and become a battle of the bases? i think that's the uncertainty

there. who does that third party candidate truly poll from? >> that's going to be interesting to watch. we needs fans to watch this race and how it end, really. >> it's pretty good there, jose. i see what you did. >> thank you very much, chuck. a pleasure to see you. let's go to the first of five states where we have correspondents reporting this hour. the north carolina senate race between incumbent kay hagan and tom tillis is expected to be the most expensive senate race in the united states history. tremendo tremaine lee is in green borrow, north carolina. >> senator hagan spent much of the campaign distancing herself from the president. last night an ad tracked by the president showed up on radio in some areas of north carolina. listen to it.

>> now i want to be clear that the ad was quickly posted online by the tillis campaign. so does this late ejection of president obama help or hurt the incumbe incumbent, you think, tremaine? >> what is interesting before last night's obama track, you couldn't spend five minutes without hearing michelle obama as a proxy to the white house. but i spoke with folks over at the monday protest last night. and the reverend and others who are leading the movement said some would it like it to be a referendum on president obama. but when you're hearing locally and it's about what tom tillis has done in the state house, pushing through what many believe is regressive policy. the attack on women's right. the attack on voting rights and minority, especially while it may or may not add fuel to the

conversation about distancing once self's. organizers want to focus on what happened in the state house and here on the ground. >> yeah and, you know, chuck todd and i talk abouted this. i've been saying this for days. i'm not sure that it is a politically wise decision to turn your back on president obama. regardless of what the reality is in your state. we'll have to wait and see after the elections and what people say. north carolina has a strict new voter id law. it won't go into effect until next year. it may still play a role, right? >> oh, certainly. the voter id aspect of a slew of new voting laws won't take effect for couple of years. still, parts other laws were passed. no more same day voter registration. they removed some polling places from colleges. they eliminated some polling. it will impact black and minority voters and the elderly, especially. key voting blocks. and cloud of confusion.

of course, it will impact some who might come and not know what they need to vote. >> thank you for being on this morning. i appreciate your time. and now to the bluegrass state kentucky where senator mitch mcconnell is saying victory in the air. his challenger allison lundergan grimes said don't put a fork in her campaign yet >> good morning, jose. i'm well, thank you. >> both sides made a last minute push campaigning around the state. >> that's correct. yesterday mitch mcconnell was campaigning with rand paul. the pitch he was making was kentucky has an opportunity to play an unprecedented role in the nation's course of history. if mcconnell is elected majority leader, if republicans take the majority and he keeps his seat, and if rand paul runs for president in 2016 we'll see a lot of kentucky. he's also been making the argument that america can be number one again.

american exceptional ism has come up again and again in his campaign events. grimes is saying don't count out her yet. we're here in jefferson county where president obama won in 2012 and in fact in 2010 mcconnell didn't win this county. if she can get extraordinary turn out here maybe she has a chance of beating the poll. >> and the incumbent is extremely unpopular. what are the keys for each one. what do they have to do tonight win the race? >> certainly allison lundergan grimes has to turn out african-american voters in particular. they downtown make up as big a portion but they are a key democratic base. especially in the urban areas in jefferson county and lexington. mcconnell needs folks to step in and say they don't want to see a change after 30 years or they're angrier at barack obama about his long record here in the senate. the orr thing an interesting

local dynamics is democrats are turn out their own troops here locally because the republicans are trying to take control of the state house. they already control the senate. they have a wish list of agenda e items they're hoping they can push through. >> let's see. what happens. next stop the governor's ball. florida hardly the only governor's race to call. ed and michael who know a thing or two about the corner office will join me next. ♪ ♪ "here i am. rock you like a hurricane." ♪ fiber one now makes cookies. find them in the cookie aisle. tthat's why i take metabiotic,ed toa daily probiotic. health. new multihealth metabiotic

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here is a live look at saint petersburg, florida.

a fairley quiet scene as voters begin casting their ballot. they're actuallied in voting. republican incumbent rick scott is neck and neck with former governor charlie crist now democrat. florida is among 18 too close to call races for governor that are within the polling margin of error. while the senate may swing republican, the university of virginia is rededucting republicans could end up losing three governor's seats. let's bring in our political gu gurus. former their of their parties. former pennsylvania governor . thank you for being with me. let's start with florida. 150 million spent on the governor's race which included some bizarre moments including the debate over a fan. what are you looking for here? >> well, when it's as close as this it's all about the turn out, jose.

the good news for us is the early voting seems to be significantly better for democrats than 2010, and as you pointed out alex only lostly 50,000 votes. if that's a precursor i think charlie crist will win. >> and michael, do you agree? will the floridians give charlie crist another shot this time as a democrat? >> i have to agree. i think floridians are more inclined to do that this time around. i think that charlie crist has been able to reestablish himself. yes, rebrand in certain respects but also, you know, the current governor, scott, has had some troubles. he's had a hard time getting above the 35% job approval mark for most of his term. i think he's carried a lot of baggage into this campaign and, you know, it's been exploited. and of course, both the negatives for the gentleman is very high. it becomes a race of who do i like least. and so i think or like more

better or whatever. it's really one of these kind of crazy scenarios in florida right now. i think charlie crist comes out on top. >> the negative ads here on just the governor's race alone have been behind blowing. you can't imagine -- i know every state has been having the issues. the governor's race in florida has been so negative. let's talk about wisconsin, a race that has some 2016 implications for governor scott walker. another race within the margin of error. can walker fend off the tough challenge from burke? >> yeah, i think she's run a very good campaign she's an excellent candidate. i think in the end my instincts that walker will prevail. it depends on turn out and obviously the anti-walker faction is very energizing. but so is the pro walker faction. i think it would be tight. i wouldn't bet on any of these races. if i had to bet i bet walker survives. >> what do you think, michael?

there's some future for him there? >> i think walker survives this. you know, the recall was one thing and the voters did not like the idea of taking him out right in the beginning of his term. now that he's had the full four years they've had a chance to assess it. and yes, there are some things they don't like. some still lingers from the recall recall era. i think walker will survive it narrowly. and the door is wide open for what he does next. >> yeah. let's talk about maryland where you were lieutenant governor. the race has tightened up in recent days. it was recently put in the toss up category. how does republican hogan do in his battle against brown? >> i think he did very well. he's done an incredible job of creating a strong narrative that taps into what people are feeling. maryland had over 40 tax increases over the last eight years. and, you know, as they like to say in maryland we tax the ring. that's something that has

resonated with at lot of voters and larry has talked about fiscal responsibility and taking the state in a new direction. we've lost a significant number of jobs over that time period as well as employers who create the jobs. so that has resonated. the problem still remains in maryland and elsewhere we're seeing is the numbers. it's a numbers game. it's a turn out game. and i think for larry, if he's got a good turn out operation, as i understand he does, this is going to be close and hopefully very competitive right until the end. >> governor, what are your thoughts on maryland? >> i think hogan has run a good campaign much like mary burke. much like burke, i think he's going to fall short. >> let's talk about quickly about 2016. any tea leaves question read after today's election that can help us see what may be happening in 2016? >> well, i think this election has very little implication for any of the individual candidates. what it does do if republicans

take back the senate is give them a chance to perform and to governor and to meet the president and get some things done. if they do that that will enhance their chances for 2016. if they just send the president ridiculous aid logically based legislation, to scare discredit their brand and their brand is terrible in the nbc wall street journal poll their brand was 28929 -- 29%. >> i think that's one of the realities is going to set in quickly for a gop senate is two things. one, the striking the balance with the white house on a number of important issues. but more importantly striking a balance at the house. you'll have additional concerns added to the house rank. you'll have new coming in to the senate. and so that's going to take a real early test for majority leader mcconnell and speaker

boehner to work together. >> michael steel and governor, thank you so much for being with me. coming up. democracy in action in ferguson, missou missouri. i'll explain coming up. why i want to share the remarkable story of this first time voter. she may be casting her first ballot right now. her story it's an incredible story straight ahead. it's a story like hers that makes a selfie like this so important. just one viewer tweetitweeting tweeting #msnbcvote. another hashtag. #govote. do it. we'll be right back. [ male announcer ] the wish we wish above all...is health. so we quit selling cigarettes in our cvs pharmacies. expanded minuteclinic, for walk-in medical care. and created programs that encourage people to take their medications regularly. introducing cvs health.

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i was out for a bike ride. i didn't think i'd have a heart attack. but i did. i'm mike, and i'm very much alive. now my doctor recommends a bayer aspirin regimen to help prevent another heart attack. be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. welcome back on this busy election day 2014. and voting locations are just now opening in the west. take a look at this. this is some sped up footage from inside a polling location in ferguson, missouri.

missouri this morning as polls open. the violent clashes on the street this summer replaced bay steady stream of voters casting their ballot. i want to share a powerful first time voter story. she's 102 years old. she's an immigrant from mexico who last year became a u.s. citizens. today she's casting her first ballot here. one issue that matters to her. she wants to see immigration reform in her lifetime. you know, we have reasons to vote. as i like to say, my vote is my voice. we'll have coverage throughout the day on-air and online. you can follow all the results as they first come in from the nbc news decision desk. you can join in the conversation using #msnbcvote. of course, you can always tweet us using jdb msnbc. our coast to coast election day coverage continues. next up colorado where the latino vote could swing the

outcome there. we'll check out texas. first, another race to watch. scott browne versus senator jean shaheen. will there be a hollywood ending for scott brown? >> when it seems that nothing is possible and the odds act against you, let me tell you, i can speak from experience. anything is possible. there are no obstacles you can't overcome. and defeat is only temporary. turn the trips you have to take,

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over 15% latino vote if they vote. something both candidates are counting on. udall has made his appeal with at least three spanish language ad and gardener in the final week is out with the first one. [ speaking in spanish ] >> translation cory is a family man with two priorities preparing our kids to be leaders and creating jobs that our families needs. msnbc is on the ground in denver, colorado where she's been closely following that race and the latino vote. good morning. >> good morning. >> tell me about the impact these spanish ads are having on the ground there. >>well, it's a bit tough to tell. according to the udall campaign they think things are going pretty well. they expect latino turn out to match or exceed the ten midterm where it was crucial to electing

michael bennett over ken bach. it's been interesting what has been missing from the spanish language ads. none of them focussed on immigration which was a big issue. the udall campaign said it's because voters are familiar with his position on it. he's very proimmigration reform and they believe that contrast is clear but it's interesting that has not been a top issue in this election even in the year where immigration reform was such a central focus in congress. >> interesting that you would mention that. thank you so much. we did see that udall brought in luis gutierrez. the images those two together may help the latino community. i want to head to kansas where msnbc is on the phone in over land, park. another race within the margin of error. another race that could come down to the latino vote. good morning.

what is the final message to voters you're hearing there? >> good morning. this election is going to boil down to whether voters feel that senator pat roberts has lost touch what is best for kansas. after serving in congress since 1981 or willing to try something new with the third party candidate who has not said whether he'll align with republicans or democrats. both have national issues. and senate majority leader harry reid. orrman has said after so many decades in washington roberts is the same cog in the wheel as the congressional dysfunction. >> amanda, thank you so much for that report. i want to head to texas to talk the latino vote and some texas politicians. msnbc contributor -- what a pleasure to see you. >> like wise, jose. >> thanks. there's so much talk in the latino vote in the lead up to

today. one estimate shows there will be at least one million more latino voters across the country compared to four years ago. what does it really mean? >> well, in terms of seeing a greater latino turn out we are already seeing indication through early voting counts that latino has stepped it up in terms of coming out to the polls. in terms of turning texas blue. it's going to take awhile. we know abbott has a commanding lead across the board. the little known fact he's in a statistical dead heat with wendy davis. latinos here are lending their support to the gop gubernatorial candidate. part of that reason is because he's asked for for their vote and he stemmed with latinos cea ceaselessly. he wants to make his vote with latinos going forward. >> that's important. i want to more about texas the state with 4 1/2 million eligible latinos.

let me ask you is there any -- when you mention that abbott is running pretty much neck to neck with wendy on latino votes. haven't they both be stumping and asking latinos for their support? it seem the like it's a big accomplishment if this is correct. >> it is. there are a couple of factors here. first of all, texas has a couple more republicans in terms of when you look at the general national trend for latinos who tend to be democratic. in texas it's a little bit higher. latinos tend to be a little bit more conservative when it comes to social issues. and he want it is, jose. i think this is the key part. some talk here in texas he wants to stick it to davis when it comes to latinos. he wants to win the heavily hispanic district in texas. the other secret is his mother-in-law. he has fantastic commercials

using his latino mother-in-law. people are connecting with the ads. if greg abbott wins we're going to see the first latina first lady in texas. >> we talked about this on my telemundo show on sunday. there are obstacles to voting in texas. things could be getting worse. >> so there's an estimated about half a million folks here in texas that could be effected by the texas voter id law. we know that here in texas that is a big issue for latinos. for african-americans but especially for latinos. we're going to see how it shakes out. we know the democratic party has a lot of poll watchers across the state. if there are any problems with regards to not having the proper identification, voters do have up to six days to present proper identification, but this is going to be a really important

election to watch because this is the first major election since the texas voter id law came into effect. we're going to see how that affects the latino vote. and the vote in general here in texas. >> yeah, victoria, it's a pleasure to speak with you in any language. thank you for being with me. and we'll be monitoring texas and all the states for voting irregularities. >> i want to head to los angeles to someone that has to work directly with the new congress. what a pleasure to see you. >> thank you. good morning. thank you for having me on. >> good morning. let's talk president obama. it's no secret a lot of democrats have not embraced him during the campaign. given how close things are, do you think that was a mistake? i've been talking a lot about this the last couple of weeks. >> i think it's different in every state, and it's really a catch-22 because in some of the states where democrats need to turn out, the african-american vote is going to be really critical. and obviously african-americans continue to support the president very strongly.

but i do think it depend on where the candidate is. as to how they have to run. louisiana, i think, is a perfect example. >> you know we were talking earlier about how the republicans have successfully really made this campaign about president obama. and there are other issues. take a look at the numbers from 2010 to 2014. unemployment down. stock market up. but in our new msnbc -- i should say nbc news poll. the president is dealing with the economy flat lines. why can't democrats and the president seem to capitalize on the issues? one of the things i think we have suffered from is six years ago when president obama won and you had mitch mcconnell say that his number one priority was to oppose the president. i think the demonzation of the president, the opposition opposing anything he said, even when he adopted their policies i think that has had an impact. >> you know but the opposition

party normally does demonize the policy of the power or the party in power. but if the senate finally does go to republicans, and that still is not a given, how do you plan on working with the other side of the senate if it's red? >> there's always the opposition. i'm not sure there was a time when you had a where they were going opposing everything the president did. obviously there was a lot of opposition there but they didn't block everything he said. but if the republicans take control of the senate and i certainly don't think that's a given, if that happens, they're going to be in a difficult situation because if they continue to block everything then they will demonstrate to the american people they cannot governor. even if they have control of both houses. >> representative karen bass, a pleasure to see you. thank you for being with me. we head to iowa next.

we know how critical iowa is in prshl electi presidential elections. but this year it's key to a senate race. we catch up with luke russert. i'll talk with another luke. republican congressman luke messer about gop branding and whether republicans can reach across the aisle should they take the senate. t right now? i have $40, $21. could something that small make an impact on something as big as your retirement? i don't think so. well if you start putting that towards your retirement every week and let it grow over time, for twenty to thirty years, that retirement challenge might not seem so big after all. ♪

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go long™. ♪ ♪ ♪ "here i am. rock you like a hurricane." ♪ fiber one now makes cookies. find them in the cookie aisle. with control of the senate literally hanging in the ballots. n nbc's first read team has eight battle ground senate seats to watch tonight. one of the closest races is iowa. latest quinnipiac university poll shows democrat bruce braley and republican joni ernst in a dead heat. luke russert joins me from des moines outside the ernst campaign headquarters. good morning. you caught up with joni ernst on the trail. if elected she's promised to

repeal the affordable care act. you asked what it would mean for the people of iowa. let's listen to what she told you. >> i would say that we are going to find a solution that will take care of those people that are now on these other policies. but to the others that have picked up policies and are now paying four and five and $600 more every month, i think that they would be happy to have patient centered health care that is actually affordable. >> how important has the health care issue been to this senate race, luke? >> well, the main issue, obviously, are job creation and breaking the gridlock. the reason why i asked ernst that question she had come from a rally with the governor of iowa how he wanted to make iowa the healthiest state in the nation and doing it in a bipartisan way that implements the affordable care act including the massive expansion of medicaid that the republicans had been weary of doing. and ernst despite the fact said iowa can be the healthiest state

in the nation but real the aca. i look at the stat this morning. and there's 83,000 iowans that got it. so it give use an insight where her policies, some would probably say, don't match up with all iowans. why is she winning the race? because she has the charisma, the personal narrative that overshadows that. she said something about the department of education being abolished. same thing a about the epa. having a veteran, being a woman who would be the first person to be sent to washington as a woman from iowa if she were to win. last register poll she was plus seven. if bruce braley wins the race he has to capitalize on the democratic turn out operation and not everyone in his own camp is sure that's a possibility considering how much momentum she has now. >> you've been studying this and

going to the campaign events there. tell me about what voters in iowa are looking for. and today with the polls being so close, what is it going to take for each one to make a difference today? >> well, they're both going through their last sort of, i would say, all out get out the vote effort. ernst is doing 12 events in 24 hours. she was at a truck stop at 3:00 a.m. this morning. and braley is doing the same thing in eastern iowa. however, what you're going to see this race come down is we're organization, the democratic turn out model versus ernst and hercharisma. what you're seeing is who cares more about people like me, which is something that democrats always do better on. ernst is beating braley. people haven't taken a real liking to braley because he's typed with the washington lawyer negative. he insulted iowa farmers by saying for he were to lose chuck

grassley, the popular senator here would be senate judiciary chairman. don't insult farmers in iowa. >> thank you so much, luke russert. once the dust settles in the senate races could a potential shift in power change business as usual in washington? if the republican for example, take the senate, there's questions about the leadership and the agenda. who will be in charge. what direction will the party take. and flip side what happens if the democrats maintain control? representative luke messer is running for the position of republican policy their. he joins me now. >> jose, great to be here. >> as a potential letter leader what does the direction and brand of the gop need to be after tonight? >> well, if the election goes our way, obviously in the next few hours we've got get busy working for the american people. we have to be defined by more than what we oppose. we certainly disagree with the president on health care and energy policy and elsewhere.

we'll have our statements to make there. but we're going need to work in a targeted way to deliver results for the american people and we need to do it right away. >> and, you know, senator president obama, the past said that the brand, the republican brand literally sucks.quoting a. you know, it doesn't happen just through osmosis. there are reasons people find it that the republicans are maybe lacking in a vision. >> yeah. i think, you know, washington in general could be described that way as i'm out here in indiana i don't hear anybody that is thrilled about what they're seeing in washington. i believe you'll see a shift in the senate tonight. this election clearly in the final hours is a referendum on the president and his job performance. you're right. republicans now have to get to work being part of the solution. you know, do i think the president will come to the table open handed and ready to work with us? we'll have to see. we'll have to control what we can control laying out a positive agenda that is

consistent with our principle and make difference with the american people. >> let's say the republicans do take the senate. what will be the agenda? what will we see? >> hopefully early you'll see a vote on the keystone pipeline which is part of making sure every american has affordable energy. it would be an amazing opportunity. you'll see changes to the president's health care law. we ought to restore the 40 hour workweek. we ought to get rid of the individual mandate. make other fixes as well. if the senate is able to pass a appeal you may see the house do it as well. i suspect you will. we know the house has been on the record there. we have to get busy working on issues that make a difference for mom and dad as they're sitting at the kitchen table. >> and if democrats meanwhile hold the senate tonight how will it affect the gop agenda? >> we're going have to go to work either way. obviously i'm optimistic we'll win. i'll be worried, frankly, if the senate stays in democratic hands

it's likely to see groundhog day with the same leaders in place. i think it's likely you'll see a different result. we won't be able to quit there. the country cannot continue to idle on the side of the road. the american people are expecting results in washington. the lack of the results is part of why they're so disgusted with what they see there, and we're going have to be part of solutions whatever the results of tonight's election are. >> congressman, what a pleasure being with you this morning. coming up an election day five things you do not want to miss. an if you're heading out to the polls right now, take a look at the election day forecast. little storm system over texas. it's a chilly 80s degrees here in south florida. overall, a pretty nice day to cast a ballot. let me tell you folks. remember your vote is your voice. use it. wethey were a littlehorizons to mbit skeptical.ss, what they do actually is rocket science. but at ge capital we also bring expertise

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in case you haven't heard, it's election day around here. with so much to watch the congressional races, the governor's races, the ballot nic initiative. it's hard to take it in. let's narrow it down to five. >> number one the runoff scenario. 24 hours from now will we know the state of the senate if the three way jumbled primary in louisiana could mean we don't know the winner until january. celebration on either side wait maybe. number two, will the republicans be doing the waive? many expect the senate to go red but our political unit doesn't think it will go wave red. what will it mean for both parties? stay tuned. number three damage control as the results roll in. will democrats embrace president obama finally or shaking up his cabinet come tomorrow? number four, who is next? could it be the next matchup

come 2016? clinton bush. they've been no strangers to the campaign trail. when the polls close tonight 2016 talk will officially begin. number five what we'll be watching. msnbc, of course. rachel maddow and chris matthews. we'll bring you special night coverage. you're invited to follow the coverage on-air and online until everlast vote is counted. that includes runoffs. that wraps up this hour on msnbc. thank you for the privilege of your time. next on "newsnation" several key races could determine the balance of power in the senate. i'll see you tomorrow. time for the your business entrepreneur of the week. of carlsbad california owns carlsbad food tours. introducing tours and localists

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will win the big prize. control of the senate. that's because as many as eight key senate races could go either way. the latest poll showing they are within the margin of error. with that, this headline in the new york times, gop is confident but voters are sour. from the wall street journal take a look, voters set to deliver another demand from change. and politico a med term referendum. the polls are opening in alaska. one of the key senate races. in one hour hawaii will become the final state to become voting today. ten states are considered to be battle ground forest fire the control of the senate. we'll take a close look at each and every one of the race. republicans need to gain six seats to win control. republicans are also hoping to reach the majority in the house today with the so called drive to 245 seats. that. would be an 11 seat increase over the current majority. among the 36 governor races

today, the bitter and expensive battle taking place in florida between republican governor rick scott and democratic challenger former republican governor charlie crist. also, the race in wisconsin with 2016 presidential implications as republican governor and potential 2016 gop candidate scott walker seeks a second term in that state. he's in a tight race with democrat mary burke. among the 150 ballot measures today -- it's not clear if all the places will follow the lead of colorado and washington state legalizing medical marijuana is also on the ballot in florida. we begin in iowa where the front page of the des moines register said historically could be made tonight. joni ernst and democrat bruce braley are locked in