Quinnipiac University released polls of three crucial battleground states on Wednesday -- Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- showing President Barack Obama leading Mitt Romney by single digits, and the Democrat incumbent scoring points in the Sunshine State with his new immigration policy.

The polls show Florida to be the closest state, with Obama taking 45 percent and Romney right behind with 41 percent. Obama also gets 45 percent in Ohio while 39 percent back Romney. In Ohio, Obama takes 47 percent with Romney trailing with 38 percent.

The Republican National Convention in Tampa will kick off with an invitation-only, cocktail-style reception for 20,000 that will feature local talent and designs tailored to highlight Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The Host Committee announced that the Aug. 26 event will mark the first time delegates and the media will be jointly welcomed at a convention.

A federal judge who struck down part of a controversial state elections law will hold a hearing Wednesday morning on whether to issue a temporary restraining order in a separate case concerning a state-ordered voter purge.

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle to bar elections officials from removing any suspected noncitizens from the rolls by using an inaccurate state database at the center of the effort. The state argues that no voters are currently in danger of being pushed off and that the courts should wait to rule on the case.