WHO'S AHEAD STATE BY STATE

In the last days of the presidential campaign, voter indecision remains the wild card. Jimmy Carter continues to lead, but both sides are nervously aware that any eleventh-hour blunder can cost their man the presidency.

THE EAST. Carter leads in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. Two of the three largest electoral states in the East--New Jersey and Pennsylvania--still tilt toward Carter. President Ford still leads in New Hampshire and Vermont. Maine, where Independent Governor James Longley last week endorsed Ford, now leans to the President. The races in Connecticut and Delaware are tossups.

THE SOUTH. Carter retains a healthy edge in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia. North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Carter clings to a small lead in Texas. Mississippi leans to Carter. Virginia, which earlier leaned to Ford, and Louisiana are too close to call.

THE MIDWEST. Carter runs well ahead in Kentucky, Minnesota and West Virginia; he has slight leads in Missouri and Oklahoma. Ford leads in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Michigan, though a United Auto Workers blitz for Carter could hurt the President. South Dakota, once in Carter's column, and Indiana now lean to Ford. Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, where McCarthy is a factor, are tossups. So is crucial Ohio, although Carter is believed to be gaining support in the traditionally Republican areas downstate, where his farming background and Southern roots are appreciated.

THE WEST. Carter has the edge in Hawaii. Ford has solid leads in Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. Alaska, Washington and Montana tilt toward Ford. New Mexico, which has voted for the winner in every presidential election since it entered the Union in 1912, is too close to call, with perhaps 16% of the voters still undecided. Nevada, Colorado and Oregon are also dead heats. So is the biggest prize of all--California.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.