WASHINGTON — The race for president is likely down to three states in the Rust Belt –and it might take days to sort out.

But Georgia also remains in doubt, with the potential to considerably shake up the pathways to the presidency.

President Donald Trump appeared to stave off Democratic challenger Joe Biden in at least four crucial battleground states that the former vice president hoped badly to flip, shifting the focus to Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania to potentially decide the election.

Trump holds preliminary leads in Michigan and Pennsylvania, but Biden pulled ahead in Wisconsin, and the majority of the outstanding votes still to be counted are absentee ballots expected to favor Biden. Absentee ballots remain critical in several pivotal states, and deadlines to have them counted vary by state.

In the battle for control of Congress, Democrats’ path toward retaking the Senate tightened overnight as Republicans fended off challenges in several states. In the House, Democrats were expected to maintain control, but several key swing districts flipped to Republican control.