Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton both held rallies in Raleigh on Monday, urging their supporters to vote on Election Day. Trump spoke at an almost-full Dorton Arena of the State Fairgrounds in the afternoon while Clinton appeared at an overflowing Reynolds Coliseum at midnight. Both venues have similar capacities. 

These visits came the day before the election, highlighting North Carolina’s importance in this race. 

North Carolina is estimated to be a necessary win for a Trump victory, and without North Carolina’s support, Clinton is expected to face an extremely tight path to the presidency. 

North Carolina is a state rich in electoral votes with quickly changing demographics, making it a key swing state. 2008 was the first election in 32 years for the state to vote for a Democrat, with President Barack Obama winning with only a 0.3 percent lead. In 2012, Mitt Romney won the state by only 2 percent of the vote.

Recent polls show North Carolina at a virtual deadlock, which is why both campaigns have spent so much time and effort lobbying across the state during the last few weeks.

Technician covered the Trump rally Monday afternoon and the Clinton rally Monday night at midnight.