Despite having a reputation as a solidly Republican state, North Carolina has a long history as a closely contested state between the two major parties. The state hasn't gone for a Democratic candidate since 1976 when Jimmy Carter carried it but it has been close at times, particularly in 1992 when George H. W. Bush narrowly won it, and has a history of electing Democrats statewide.In 2008, the state has been put in play for a variety of reasons. The economy has overtaken the kinds of social and cultural issues that have helped Republicans in this mostly-conservative state as the issue driving voter concerns, as has been the case across the nation. A large black population is expected to give Barack Obama a significant boost and the technological area surrounding Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill is loaded with the demographics which have backed Obama throughout this election.

The tilting landscape has put incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole in danger of losing her seat and forced John McCain to revisit the state just three weeks before Election Day. Like Virginia, North Carolina is one of those states likely to determine whether this election will be close or whether Obama wins comfortably.

• CBS Evening News: Supporters' Hard Work Changed N.C. Dynamic
• North Carolina Analysis By Region