Voters in Strongsville, North Royalton, Brecksville and Broadview Heights will help decide one of the most competitive U.S. House races in the country on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Ohio's 7th Congressional District, once considered a safe Republican seat, is now rated a "Toss Up" by the Cook Political Report, according to Ideastream. NBC News also rates the district a tossup. The shift stems not from policy disagreements but from allegations of domestic abuse against incumbent Rep. Max Miller.

The allegations

Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him of physically abusing her and their toddler daughter, according to multiple news reports. Moreno said in a February police report that Miller threw hot water on her, put a gun to her head and broke their daughter's collarbone, Ideastream reported.

Miller has denied all the allegations. He has never been charged with a crime in connection with the claims, WKYC reported. A Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services investigation found a lack of evidence to support child abuse, according to Ideastream.

Miller called the accusations "false and politically motivated," pointing to the lack of criminal charges, cleveland.com reported. He requested a House Ethics Committee investigation into the allegations, saying he sought the probe "to clear my name."

The Ethics Committee confirmed it is reviewing allegations that Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use in violation of the Code of Official Conduct," according to cleveland.com. The committee noted that the investigation alone "does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred."

A Cuyahoga County court has issued mutual restraining orders for both Miller and Moreno, according to Ideastream. A separate federal lawsuit filed by Moreno on behalf of their daughter remains open, Cleveland 19 reported.

Republican pushback

Sen. Bernie Moreno, Miller's former father-in-law and Ohio's senior Republican U.S. senator, called on Miller to end his reelection campaign in August, according to WKYC. Sen. Jon Husted, Ohio's other Republican senator, also called for Miller to drop out, Ideastream reported.

Miller ignored an August deadline to withdraw from the ballot. President Donald Trump has not rescinded his endorsement of Miller, though Trump said he would "let the families figure that out," according to WKYC.

The challenger

Democrat Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker and former Brook Park city councilman, won a crowded May primary. He has made cost of living his top priority, according to Ideastream. His platform includes ending blanket tariffs, lowering gas prices and working toward a more universal health care system, Cleveland 19 reported.

Poindexter has drawn endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Ohio AFL-CIO, the United Auto Workers and the United Steelworkers, according to WKYC. Miller has the backing of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters.

Poindexter has acknowledged misdemeanor convictions for assault and disorderly conduct, as well as a marijuana possession arrest in the late 1990s, according to WKYC and Cleveland 19. He has said becoming a father helped him turn his life around.

Money race

Poindexter reported more than $3.1 million in direct contributions from July through mid-October, far outpacing Miller's $180,000 in reported donations over the same period, the Ohio Capital Journal reported. Miller put $1 million of his own money into the race in August. No independent polls specific to the district have been published, the Ohio Capital Journal noted.

How to vote

Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, according to Axios Cleveland. Election Day polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. Absentee ballots must reach the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3.