WASHINGTON — On the eve of an election that will decide the Senate majority, it’s time for closing arguments and an all-out effort to motivate people to vote.

Republicans have claimed new momentum in midterm campaigns that have centered on President Barack Obama, who is not on Tuesday’s ballot. Under the weight of the unpopular president, Democrats are fighting to distance themselves from the White House and convince voters they deserve to maintain the Senate majority for the final two years of Obama’s presidency. The GOP is sounding confident that it will take Senate control.

Obama has avoided the nation’s most competitive contests in recent weeks, but encouraged Democrats to reject Republican cynicism during campaign stops in Connecticut and Pennsylvania for Democrats in governors’ races. He was scheduled to spend today in private meetings with his economic team and Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.