polling

• A Washington Post blog picks up the Survey University/USA Today poll showing the tightness in the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis, with Hagan holding a slender 45-43 lead. (Libertarian Sean Haugh clocks in at 5 percent.) The post also notes that at 41 percent, Hagan’s approval rating is actually lower than President Obama’s 45 percent.

• The day the Senate adjourned sine die, a new member took the oath of office. Sen. Mike Lee, R-New Hanover, is completing the term of fellow Republican Thom Goolsby, who did not seek re-election and resigned earlier this summer. Lee is running for the 9th District seat against Democrat Elizabeth Redenbaugh, and may be called back to Raleigh if a special session of the General Assembly is convened before January.

• 2nd Congressional District Democratic challenger Clay Aiken makes a stop in Fayetteville to visit a center at Fayetteville Technical Community College that helps veterans move back into civilian life — and raise money. He’ll be followed closely by incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers, who will appear next week at the college for a roundtable discussion on mental health issues.

• Like lawsuits? The State Board of Elections may face another one, as Thursday it rejected by a 4-1 vote a proposal to place an early voting site at Appalachian State University’s student union. The board’s majority said it would be difficult to maintain a proper buffer at the union to prevent electioneering. Watauga County Democrats are claiming voter suppression and may sue.