By I-Hsien Sherwood | i.sherwood@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Nov 05, 2012 04:33 PM EST

Today's look at the Electoral College paints a bleak picture for Republican challenger Mitt Romney's chances in tomorrow's election.

A slew of new swing state polls has Obama leading in most of the crucial states needed to win the Electoral College. Romney has solid support in states he needs to win, but not enough to overtake Obama's lead in projections.

Romney's doing well in North Carolina, where he's almost assured a win. That brings him to 206 electoral votes.

He's also leading in Florida, though that state is very much a tossup. Romney may have been hurt by Obama's quick and decisive response to Hurricane Sandy. While the storm didn't affect Florida directly, the state has borne its share of hurricane damage, and well-coordinated disaster relief is important to voters there.

If Romney does take Florida, he grabs the biggest chunk of electoral votes left on the map, 29, bringing him to 235 votes, 35 short of winning outright.

But after that, it gets difficult for him.

Pennsylvania, while still technically a swing state, will go to Obama, despite the insistence of some Republicans that the race is close there. Polls in Pennsylvania are overwhelming positive for Obama, and have been for a very long time.

Virginia could still fall either way, though recent polls show Obama gaining support, and an average of statewide polls gives Obama a very narrow lead.

But let's say Romney takes Virginia, since it's the next most likely pickup for him. That brings him to 248 electoral votes, 22 short.

He could pick up Colorado, too, since polling is very even there, and he has a slight advantage in early voting in the state. That brings him to 257 electoral votes, just 13 short of his goal.

But now the only states left on the map are Nevada, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and New Hampshire, all of which are leaning toward Obama.

In Wisconsin and Michigan, there's no realistic chance of a Romney win. Though Wisconsin is running mate Paul Ryan's home state, the Scott Walker recall, auto-industry bailout and relatively good economic recovery there will secure the state for Obama.

The same issues are at play in Michigan, but even more so.

In Nevada, Obama has led for the entirety of the campaign. Romney's never come close to topping the president there, thanks in large part to heavy Latino support.

Even if Romney takes both Iowa and New Hampshire, he falls short of 270 electoral votes without Ohio. And if he wins Ohio, the other two states are superfluous.

Which is why both candidates and outside interest groups have poured over $180 million in advertising into the state. It's the one to win.






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