What If: Could Clinton win it before Election Day?

Beginning Friday, residents in North Carolina can submit absentee mail-in ballots — the first of 37 states and the District Columbia to vote by mail or at polling sites before Nov. 8.

[...] many states report the party affiliation of people who have cast ballots, offering solid clues.

In 2008, Barack Obama made early voting a priority, amassing such big leads with blacks, Hispanics and first-time voters that he pulled out wins in Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Colorado despite losing the Election Day vote there, according to elections data compiled by The Associated Press.

Acknowledging an uphill battle in early votes, the RNC says its goal will be to keep pace with Democrats and ensure Election Day will decide the outcome after all.