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CARLOS WATSON'S RACE-BY-RACE BREAKDOWN

(CNN) -- CNN political analyst Carlos Watson lists his picks for 2004's hot races.

Colorado's Amendment 36: Allocating Electoral Votes
The vote to split that state's nine electoral votes according to the popular vote is controversial. Only other two other states can divide their votes Ð Maine and Nebraska, which do so by congressional districts. If passed, the amendment would apply to this election and could swing the presidential election. It could also lead to changes in other states.

Michigan's Proposition 04-2: Same-Sex Marriage
While 11 states have a same-sex marriage amendment on the ballot Tuesday, they vary in degree. Michigan law already defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, but the Michigan Court of Appeals put the measure on the ballot after the state elections board refused to certify the measure. This amendment goes beyond defining marriage as being between a man and a woman; it would end both same-sex and opposite-sex partner benefits in the state, and eliminate current partnership benefits at the University of Michigan, Michigan State and other public colleges and institutions.

California's Proposition 71: Stem Cell Research Funding
The proposition would establish a state medical research group to authorize the issuance of $3 billion in state bonds to provide funding for stem cell research at research facilities in California. It would also establish an oversight committee and ban human cloning research. It has triggered a big controversy here not only because it involves stem cell research, but because the $3 billion in bonds will actually cost the cash-strapped state $6 billion over 30 years.

Colorado Senate: Peter Coors (R) vs. Ken Salazar (D)
Colorado has one of the most vulnerable Republican Senate seats up for grabs. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell will retire, and the race is tight between Republican Pete Coors -- a first-time politician and the chairman of Coors Brewing Company -- and Democrat Pete Salazar, Colorado's twice-elected Attorney General. It's the most expensive race in state history, and a battle to keep a Republican edge in the Senate.

Georgia Senate: Johnny Isakson (R) vs. Denise L. Majette (D)
Democrat Zell Miller's seat is up for grabs. Rep. Johnny Isakson (R) and Rep. Denise Majette (D) are on the ballot. While it's likely Isakson will win, an upset by Majette would be interesting not only because she is a more traditional Democrat than Miller, who has sided with Republicans as of late, but also because she is a black woman.

Illinois Senate: Alan L. Keyes (R) vs. Barack Obama (D)
After all the buzz he generated at the Democratic National Convention, and with a strong lead going in, anything but an Obama win would be a surprise. This would also mean a Democratic takeover of this Senate seat.

South Dakota Senate: Thomas A. Daschle (D-incumbent) vs. John R. Thune (R)
It's a very tight race between incumbent Sen. Tom Daschle (D), the Senate Minority leader, and John Thune (R) -- and an upset also means one more seat for the Republicans.

Presidential race: Hawaii
The typically Democratic state is close to becoming a Republican state in the 2004 election. What is prompting the change, and which color will it be on November 3? Incidentally, the Senate race there looks like a safe one for Democratic incumbent Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Presidential race: Florida
All eyes on the Sunshine State: With absentee ballot issues popping up just days before the election, and microscopes fixed on the state since 2000, who doesn't want to know what happens in Florida?!

Presidential race: Ohio
A few things to look for in the Buckeye State. Yes, it's a battleground state, and as we've heard many, many times, "No Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio." Candidates have spent more than $4.25 million in Ohio. There's also talk of Ohio as the new Florida when it comes to possible voter issues.

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