Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., are both making appearances in Florida Wednesday with just six days to go before Election Day, hoping to secure the state’s 27 electoral votes.

At a rally in Miami, McCain spoke about cutting taxes and holding the line on government spending, except in defense, veterans care, NASA, Social Security and health care. As for energy, he promised to start new oil drilling and invest in energy alternatives. His campaign Web site posted his full remarks.

Obama, meanwhile, planned to hold his first joint rally with former President Clinton in Orlando, the same day as his 30-minute primetime campaign pitch on television networks CBS, NBC, Fox, Univision, MSNBC and two cable networks, BET and TV One, according to the New York Times.

Florida has voted for Republicans in six of the last seven presidential elections, but is considered a crucial battleground state this year. Both campaigns have invested time and advertising dollars in the Sunshine State, particularly along the I-40 corridor from Tampa to Daytona Beach, where 38 percent of the state’s independent voters live.

An average of polls in Florida collected by Real Clear Politics show Obama carrying a 3.4 point lead over McCain.

A New York Times report describes the shift in Florida, which once offered McCain a comfortable lead.

Both candidates’ running mates also have visited the Southern state. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke at a rally in Tampa on Sunday, where she addressed McCain’s tax plan, energy policy and the wardrobe price tag flap.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., spent three days in Florida this week. There, he urged supporters to vote early. “Folks, don’t wait. In this state you don’t need to be told that every single, solitary vote counts,” he said.

Florida’s early voting period began Oct. 20, and so far 1.4 million people have gone to polling sites, said Jennifer Krell Davis, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State. There have been lines in some of the larger counties, she continued, but people have expected that and have been patient overall.

Numbers appear higher this year for Florida’s early voting, which began in 2004, because people are more familiar with the option and also because “this is just a very high-interest presidential election year,” Davis said.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, 11.25 million voters are registered in the state.

Last month, NewsHour correspondent Judy Woodruff reported from Florida on how the economy might factor into people’s votes and what the campaigns are planning to do to get people to the polls.