CHICAGO – Two new polls released today show Democrat Alexi Giannoulias leading in the Illinois U.S. Senate race against Congressman Mark Kirk. With less than 24 hours until polls open, Democrats across the state are reminding voters what’s at stake in this election and executing a robust, statewide get-out-the-vote operation that will include 20,000 volunteer shifts from more than 200 staging location across the state.

New DSCC Poll: Alexi Giannoulias, Mark Kirk Statistically Tied - CQ Politics, 11/1

An Anzalone Liszt Research poll taken for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign committee from Oct. 27 and 28 shows Democrat Alexi Giannoulias leading Republican Mark Kirk 39 percent to 37 percent, a statistical tie since the poll had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

The same poll of 400 likely voters found Libertarian candidate Michael Labo with 4 percent, Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones with 3 percent, and 16 percent of voters undecided. It's a small shift from the Anzalone Liszt poll taken Oct. 20 to 24, which showed Giannoulias with 38 percent and Kirk with 36 percent.

A flurry of other polls have been released in the race, a high-stakes fight tomorrow for President Barack Obama's former seat. An Oct. 30 and 31 Public Policy Polling survey of 814 likely voters showed Kirk ahead with 46 percent and Giannoulias with 42 percent. That poll had a margin of error of just 3.4 points.

The most recent Rasmussen poll, an Oct. 26 survey of 750 likely voters, showed Kirk at 46 percent and Giannoulias at 42 percent, which was within the margin of error of four points. Likewise, a Fox News poll taken on Oct. 30 showed Kirk at 46 percent, Giannoulias at 42 percent and Jones at 6 percent. It had a margin of error of 3 points.

As in close races everywhere, turnout will be key in the Illinois Senate race. A Democratic source said the combined efforts of the DSCC, the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America will mean volunteers knock on 950,000 doors, make 300,000 phone calls and operate out of 191 staging locations throughout the state.

Turnout operations for either party should also affect other close races on the ballot in Illinois, including the gubernatorial race and close House races in the districts embattled Democratic Reps. Bill Foster, Debbie Halvorson and Phil Hare hold, as well as the open seat Kirk vacated.

CQ-Roll Call rates the Senate race a Tossup.

YouGov Illinois Poll: Giannoulias, 47, Kirk 44 / Brady 47, Quinn, 40 - Chicago Sun-Times, 11/1

A poll by YouGov.com has a split result for the top of the Illinois ticket: In the hotly contested Senate contest, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is at 47 to 44 for Republican Mark Kirk. In the race for governor, Bill Brady is at 47 to 40 for Gov. Quinn.

From YouGov: Interviews with 1000 registered voters, including 784 likely voters, were conducted October 25-30, 2010

Below, YouGov.com release....

Illinois Republican leads Governor's race, while Democrat leads Senate
In the last couple of days before the election, the race for U.S. Senate remains tight, while the Republican candidate for Governor has a more comfortable lead over his Democrat candidate.

The race for U.S. Senate is tighter with the Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias leading Republican Mark Kirk by 4 percentage points.

Registered Likely Voters - Senate
Alexi Giannoulias 47% 47%
Mark Kirk 40% 44%

Quinn shows weakness among his base, Giannoulias shows strength
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Alex Giannoulias has been able to consolidate his base among likely voters, and leads Republican Mark Kirk by 10 percentage points among women, and voters aged 30 to 64 by 8 percentage points.

Methodology
Interviews with 1000 registered voters, including 784 likely voters, were conducted October 25-30, 2010, online using YouGov's PollingPoint panel. YouGov uses a matched sample methodology that selects respondents to match the Illinois registered voter population in terms of demographics (age, race, gender, education, employment status, income, marital status, children), past voting behavior, and political attitudes (interest in politics, party registration, and ideology).

About YouGov
YouGovPolimetrix is the North American subsidiary of YouGov PLC, which conducts polls around the world using its online panels.