LANSING – Michigan has rejoined the ranks of battleground states and a total of 14 states are now considered battleground states, according to the latest Outlook, created by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. The latest iteration of the poll of polls again shows Democrat Barack Obama winning the electoral college vote over Republican John McCain, but the race has narrowed so that victory for either candidate could come down to one state.

For example, should Pennsylvania (with 21 votes now a battleground state leaning towards Obama) shift to McCain, the Republican would win. But if Florida (with 27 votes now leaning towards McCain) shifts to Obama it could put the race out of reach for McCain no matter what else happens.

According to the latest Outlook, Obama would have 286 electoral votes, including 78 from battleground states, if the election were held today, with McCain getting 249 electoral votes, with 76 coming from battleground states. Two weeks ago, the survey showed Obama with more than 300 electoral votes, including those from battleground states.

Michigan, with 17 electoral votes, had fallen off the list of battleground states for two weeks, but the latest composite of the polls shows Obama with 43 percent support to McCain’s 41 percent support with 16 percent undecided in the state.

The Outlook tracks results of 20 different polls.

New to the list of battleground states, somewhat surprisingly, is Arizona with six electoral votes. Arizona is McCain’s home state and it is trending his way, with 47 percent support to Obama’s 41 percent but with 12 percent undecided.

Ohio, with 20 electoral voters which last week was a tie, is now narrowly tending towards McCain with 42 percent to Obama’s 41 percent and 17 percent undecided.

However, Montana remains a tie, with both candidates having 47 percent each and 6 percent undecided.

Other battleground states favoring Obama are Colorado with nine electoral votes, Nevada with five votes, New Hampshire with four votes, Virginia with 13 votes and Wisconsin with 10 votes. Other battleground states favoring McCain are New Mexico with five votes, North Carolina with 15 votes and South Dakota with three votes.

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