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Will he dunk on the Democrats? Republican Youngkin plays basketball at a polling station with him NECK AND NECK with McAuliffe in Virginia governor race: Biden faces catastrophe if GOP wins in bellwether election

  Voters began lining up at polling places across   Virginia  on rainy Tuesday morning to cast their ballot for governor in a heated contest...

 Voters began lining up at polling places across Virginia on rainy Tuesday morning to cast their ballot for governor in a heated contest coming down to a few tenths-of-a-point in surveys taken hours before Election Day. 

Although there is a gubernatorial race in New Jersey, two congressional races in Ohio and several mayoral contests, the nation has turned its attention to Virginia as a loss for Democrat Terry McAuliffe would be catastrophic for the Party as Joe Biden's approval dwindles ahead of the 2022 midterms.

A Republican win would cause a panic among the Democrats and could sway voters across the country in what is a bellwether election for an administration mired by mounting problems, including inflation and supply chain issues. 

'Go vote, Virginia and New Jersey!' President Biden tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Virginia has also become a battleground area where Republicans feel they can gain more political control after Biden won the state by 10.1 percentage points in the 2020 presidential election.  

In Monday's polling average from FiveThirtyEight, Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin remain just under 1 percentage point apart, with the GOP candidate pulling ahead in the days leading up to the election.

While 47.9 per cent of voters say they will cast their ballot for Youngkin, another 47 per cent falt say they will vote for McAuliffe. Back in August there was a near 7 per cent split in favor of McAuliffe. 

One of the areas most vital to the election is Loudoun County, which Biden won by 25 percentage points in 2020. The wealthy area, while veering more blue recently, could easily turn red as Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin promises to give parents more control over their childrens' education.

Loudoun is the richest area in the U.S., with an average household income of $142,299.

'It's no longer Republicans against Democrats,' Youngkin told Fox News on Tuesday morning. 'It's parents from all political perspectives, from all walks of life coming together and standing up for their children.' 

Former first lady Michelle Obama also encouraged voting by tweeting: 'Today is Election Day! From city hall and the governor's mansion to the school board and the courts — state and local elections can have a profound impact on your day-to-day life. So if your city or state has an election today, make sure your voice is heard by voting!'

Education issues have become the central focus of the Virginia gubernatorial race, as Youngkin rallies against schools teaching critical race theory and McAuliffe pushes for more diversity among teachers in the state.

'Virginia and New Jersey Democrats—it's Election Day! You must turn out and vote for @TerryMcAuliffe, @PhilMurphyNJ, and Democrats down the ballot,' Vice President Kamala Harrris tweeted on Tuesday.

Youngkin's rally crowds the day before the election significantly out-showed those who came out for Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who is a former governor of the Old Dominion State.

Virginians started going to their polling places to cast their vote in the state's gubernatorial election on Tuesday. Adrienne Schweer votes with children Georgia and Sully in tow at Chesterbrook Elementary School in McLean, Virginia

Virginians started going to their polling places to cast their vote in the state's gubernatorial election on Tuesday. Adrienne Schweer votes with children Georgia and Sully in tow at Chesterbrook Elementary School in McLean, Virginia

Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin picked up a basketball to shoot some hoops outside a voting location at Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly, Virginia on Tuesday

Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin picked up a basketball to shoot some hoops outside a voting location at Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly, Virginia on Tuesday

Heating up: The GOP candidate removed his jacket to continue shooting hoops as drizzles cleared and the day warmed up

Heating up: The GOP candidate removed his jacket to continue shooting hoops as drizzles cleared and the day warmed up 

Voters check in at the Fairfax County Government Center on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the heated gubernatorial race

Voters check in at the Fairfax County Government Center on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the heated gubernatorial race

Republican Glenn Youngkin responds to a question from media on Election Day at Rocky Run Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia on November 2
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, raises a glass of hard cider as he speaks to supporters during a rally in Richmond, Virginia on November 1

Republican Glenn Youngkin (left) and Democrat Terry McAuliffe (right) rallied across the state on Monday. The two are only .9 percentage points apart going into the election on Tuesday – with Youngkin in the lead

Youngkin greets a voter outside Rocky Run Middle School on Election Day in Chantilly, Virginia

Youngkin greets a voter outside Rocky Run Middle School on Election Day in Chantilly, Virginia