Average of polls leans toward Obama

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Democratic convention provided a bump in the polls for President Barack Obama, and a Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Michigan is now leaning in the president's direction.

A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to secure the White House.

The RCP average of polls indicates states with 237 electoral votes for Obama with 191 for former Massachussets Gov. Mitt Romney.

In this average, Michigan and Missouri lean toward Obama and Romney, respectively. Nine states are toss-ups: Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

Of those nine, Obama narrowly leads in all except North Carolina. The president's lead ranges from .2 in Iowa to 4.2 in Ohio, while Romney holds a 4.8% lead in North Carolina.

And in those nine, there are a total of 110 electoral votes. Obama would need 33 to reach the 270 mark, while Romney would need 79.

There are seven weeks to go until Election Day, and 24 Hour News 8 will follow this every step of the way.