Final polls show Democrats ahead in New England's two Senate battlegrounds

Two of the Senate races that could decide control of the chamber are next door to Massachusetts, and the latest public polls in both show the Democrat in front heading into Tuesday.

Maine: Collins vs. Jackson

A CNN poll conducted by SSRS from Oct. 20 to 25 found Democrat Troy Jackson at 49% and Republican Sen. Susan Collins at 45% among likely voters, the Portland Press Herald reported. The survey of 783 registered voters had a margin of error of 4.5 points, and results were nearly unchanged from a CNN poll taken in late summer.

An earlier Marist poll, taken Oct. 1 to 4, showed Jackson ahead 51% to 47% among registered voters.

In the governor's race, the CNN poll had Democrat Hannah Pingree at 53% and Republican Bobby Charles at 39%, according to the Press Herald.

New Hampshire: Pappas vs. Sununu

In New Hampshire, a UMass Lowell/YouGov poll of likely voters showed Democrat Chris Pappas at 48%, Republican John E. Sununu at 41% and Edmond LaPlante at 4%, Political Wire reported. The margin of error was 5 points.

A Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll also showed Pappas ahead, Boston 25 News reported. Neil Levesque of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics told the station that Pappas has led since spring and is winning independents.

The latest numbers

Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 3.