Democratic challenger Kay Hagan is edging incumbent challenger Elizabeth Dole by nearly 20 points with almost 7 percent of state precincts reporting.

The polls still have a long way to go, as one Wake County precinct closed an hour late at 8:30 p.m.

With 6.85 percent reporting, state Sen. Hagan had 58 percent of the vote, compared to the Republican senator's 39 percent.

Dole prepares for results

Dole voted in her precinct in Salisbury Tuesday at the Rowan County Public Library.

She spent eight days crossing the state on her "Elizabus Tour" and Monday, she traveled by plane, making last-minute stops in cities like Charlotte, Greensboro, Morrisville and Wilmington.

As she cast her ballot Tuesday, she said she thinks that heavy campaigning will pay off.

"It feels might good, mighty good. I've been on a bus for eight days, you know, rocking and rolling for eight days and 30 counties. Then yesterday, we were in six cities doing a fly-around. Ended up with a rally with about 400 to 500 people last night in Charlotte," Dole said. "It's just feeling really good."

Supporters are hoping those good feelings continue after the polls close statewide at 7:30 p.m.

Crowds will begin filing into the Salisbury Depot in downtown Salisbury to watch the returns. Dole was there six years ago when she became the state's first female senator, handily defeating Democratic candidate Erskine Bowles.

Hagan confident as race ends

Hagan talked with voters Tuesday at a precinct in Raleigh. She thanked volunteers and encouraged them to continue to get out the vote until the polls close.

"I'm feeling great today. I'm confident. We had 2.5 million people already vote and I hope another 2 million today," Hagan said. "I hope the weather doesn't deter anybody!"

Hagan said she cast her ballot the first day of early voting. She spent time Tuesday doing some last-minute campaigning in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.

The race has gathered national attention in the last week after Dole released negative ads questioning Hagan's Christian faith and ties to atheist political action committee Godless Americans. Sen. Dole refused to pull the ads and Hagan fired back with a defamation lawsuit.

Hagan's supporters will file into the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Tuesday night to watch the returns.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the latest on North Carolina's races.