Montana and North Dakota, both key states in the U.S. Senate race, are experiencing crowded polling stations this evening despite both states setting records for early voting. Polls in Montana will close at 7 p.m. PST, while polls in North Dakota are closing between 5 p.m and 7 p.m. PST.

In Montana, some same-day voters experienced waits of up to two hours, while late registrations voters had to wait up to an hour. 

The Senate race between Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Denny Rehberg has been the most expensive campaign in Montana state history with nearly $40 million in spending. Tester is considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent in the Senate, and The New York Times' Nate Silver gave Rehberg a 65.6 percent chance of victory. 

In the North Dakota senate race, the latest polls showed Republican challenger Rick Berg with a lead over Democrat Heidi Heitcamp after incumbent Democrat Kent Conrad's retirement.

According to North Dakota Secretary of State, 130,000 people voted early before the polls opened Tuesday morning. 

Along with the Montana Senate race, the race in North Dakota has been notorious for its large amount of campaign advertisements. One citizen expressed their frustration with the large number of campaign advertisements:

PRAISE THE LORD I DONT HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER FRICKIN HEIDI HIETKAMP OR RICK BERG COMMERCIAL. #brbcryingtearsofjoy

— Taylor (@tayybach) November 7, 2012

A larger portion of Democratic Senate seats are up for election this year, including those in Montana and North Dakota, with 21 Democratic Senate spots being contested compared to 10 Republican seats. 

 

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on the 2012 election here.

Reach Staff Reporter Jacob Freedman here.