South Bend - Many candidates spent Monday pounding the pavement trying to change minds and gain votes.
Many voters hit the polls for the last day of early voting.
"I wanted to make sure I get out here before the traffic of tomorrow," said Phillip Washington.
"It’s my first time voting early and I can’t tell you the feeling it gives me,” said voter Millie Scott.
For many voters, their minds are made up.
But there are thousands who won't vote this year because they're simply undecided.
"Last minute voting whether it’s today or election day…it might be more likely undecided voters will vote a straight ticket," said Sean Savage, Political Science Professor at Saint Mary’s College.
Here’s the early voting trend over the past three presidential elections:
In 2004, 14,280 people voted early in St. Joe County.
In 2008, 28,813 voted early
And this year, we’re at about 23,000.
Early voting is clearly down compared to the last presidential election, but will it take a toll on any of the races?
"What’s going to be interesting is how it's going to affect the Senate race which is by far the most competitive race in the state," Savage said.
Savage said candidates like Joe Donnelly and Richard Mourdock in that heated Senate race need to stay in the competition until polls close on Tuesday because you just never know who's going to show up to vote on Election Day.
"More people in this country identify themselves as Democrat, but the disadvantage is people who call themselves Republicans, on average, are more likely to actually vote on Election Day," Savage said.
And with less than a day until the election, voters themselves are turning into advocates.
"I call everyone I know and say get out and vote," said early voter Jackie White.
