2026 midterm primary elections and early voting begin across states

Iowa Judge Dismisses Trump Poll Lawsuit

Judge Scott Beattie on Sept. 23, 2026, dismissed with prejudice Trump's Iowa poll lawsuit, ruling the "Iowa Poll and its reporting are fully protected political speech."

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Michigan Republicans test anti-socialist pitch with mixed success

Republicans are campaigning for Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers by portraying Democrat Abdul El-Sayed as a far-left socialist, while also trying to mobilize voters who often skip midterms. The pitch has had mixed success: some voters support Rogers but reject the claim that Democrats are extremists, amid broader dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and the war in Iran.

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Supreme Court Keeps Missouri’s 2022 Map for Midterms

Missouri’s 2026 midterms are engulfed in a protracted redistricting battle as courts clash over the GOP-drawn 2025 map that would reshape Kansas City and tilt most seats Conservative, with the state Supreme Court blocking its use while federal courts push to implement it. Ballots are already in circulation and election officials face a tight deadline as the dispute heads to the Supreme Court for a final ruling, leaving voters in limbo about which map will govern the election.

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Vance Task Force to Cancel Subsidies for 760,000 ACA Enrollments

JD Vance announced a task force will cancel or halt subsidies for roughly 750,000 to 760,000 ACA enrollments, citing fraud and estimating $2.2 billion in savings.

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Harris Plans Michigan Campaign Events With El-Sayed

Kamala Harris is campaigning with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to mobilize Black voters and progressive supporters, aiming to unite a fractured Democratic base ahead of a pivotal race that could determine control of the Senate. The events spotlight a strategy centered on broad coalitions and voter turnout in Michigan, a battleground state whose outcome could influence national momentum for Democrats.

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Republicans Distance Themselves From Trump Ahead of Midterms

Congressional Republicans are increasingly breaking with President Trump on foreign policy and economic issues as they worry about keeping their majorities, signaling election anxiety. They are publicly reconsidering Trump positions—such as supporting a diesel export ban to ease costs for farmers and truckers—while strategists note Trump’s presence is becoming a liability in battleground races.

Absentee Voting Underway in Minnesota, Planned in Mississippi

Absentee and early in-person voting are underway across Minnesota communities—including Pipestone, Monticello, and Ramsey County—with details on where to vote, how ballots are returned, and deadlines for mail ballots. Mississippi, meanwhile, has begun absentee voting with updated procedures designed to clarify ballot tabulation and ensure voters understand the new process.

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Kamala Harris campaigns in Michigan for 2026 midterms

Early Voting Begins in Four States for 2026 Election

Voters across Northern Virginia will face local ballot items, from Fairfax City’s consideration of a 1% local sales tax earmarked for school and transit projects to Loudoun County’s $356.5 million in bonds for schools, safety, and transportation, alongside three constitutional amendments on voting, abortion, and related rights. The ballot also features high-profile federal and state races, including U.S. Senate and House contests and a Prince William County special House of Delegates election, with early voting already underway in several states.

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Texas Democrats Plan 2026 Challenge to GOP Control

Democrats in Texas are mounting what could be their best statewide challenge in years, with a full slate including Gina Hinojosa for governor and James Talarico for the U.S. Senate as Paxton and Abbott face stiff headwinds amid economic strains and shifting Latino politics, while polls show a near deadlock in the Senate race and Hinojosa trailing in the governor’s contest. In the Legislature, candidates for House District 94 push pro-public-education and affordability platforms, highlighting concerns over school funding and inflation as both parties vie for seats in a historically Republican stronghold.

Vance Campaigns Across Midwest as GOP Defends Seats

JD Vance is actively campaigning in Kansas and Iowa as a top Republican surrogate to bolster Senate candidates Roger Marshall and other GOP nominees, while Democrats push in traditionally red states where races have unexpectedly narrowed. The tour underscores GOP anxiety about the midterm map amid concerns over Iran policy and President Trump’s standing, with Kansas’s Hamilton challenging Marshall and national observers noting the effort as a broader push in red-to-purple terrain.

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Trump Rallies for Whatley in North Carolina

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are visiting North Carolina this week to campaign for U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, with Trump speaking at a Gastonia rally and Melania touring an Ashe County elementary school to highlight education technology and community resilience in recovery from recent disasters. The appearances, including ticketed procedures and school visits, underscore a coordinated effort to energize Republican voters in the midterm race.

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Courts Block Trump USPS Mail-Ballot Rules

Trump-appointed Judge Carl Nichols blocked USPS mail-ballot rules late Sunday, ruling the agency lacks statutory authority ahead of the November 3 midterms.

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USPS halts Trump mail-voting system work after Supreme Court blocks order

USPS halted Trump's Federal Mail Ballot Portal after the Supreme Court block; Steiner said, "There's an injunction so we're not doing anything."

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Harris Plans Michigan Senate Event With El-Sayed

Kamala Harris joins Abdul El-Sayed Tuesday in Michigan on Black maternal health after Mike Rogers skipped their debate, leaving El-Sayed at an empty podium.

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Texas Senate Hopeful Talarico Names Favorite Drag Queen

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico quickly named Alyssa Edwards as his favorite Texas drag queen at a campaign event, a response that has sparked ongoing criticism and questions about his past remarks on drag, transgender issues, and youth performances. The coverage portrays the episode as part of a broader pattern of controversial comments and campaign missteps, with opponents and media outlets highlighting perceived creepiness and pushing back on his stance on drag and LGBTQ topics.

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Trump Endorses Bailey in Illinois Governor Race

President Donald Trump publicly reiterated his endorsement of Darren Bailey in the Illinois governor’s race, calling Bailey a “very good candidate” and saying he’s “all for Bailey” as he labels JB Pritzker a disaster on crime. Bailey, who has at times distanced himself from Trump on some issues, is leveraging the Trump endorsement to appeal to suburban voters in a high-stakes rematch.

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Vance Plans $9,000 Subsidies for Married Stay-at-Home Parents

The Trump administration, championed by Vice President JD Vance, is proposing to expand the Child Care and Development Fund to provide up to $9,000 per child annually to married couples with a stay-at-home parent, with eligibility restricted to households where the other spouse works at least 35 hours per week. Critics from conservative and liberal voices warn the plan would invite government intrusion, create dependency and benefit cliffs, and shift incentives away from work, while supporters argue it would support families.

Trump Administration to Send $500 ACA Refunds to Nearly 1 Million Enrollees

President Donald Trump plans to issue $500 rebates to up to 1 million Obamacare enrollees in 30 states before the November midterms, funded by roughly $500 million in excess ACA fees that insurers returned to the government. The move, pitched as consumer relief and a showcase of his health-care agenda, dovetails with his midterm strategy and will be highlighted in his convention remarks, with specific state concentrations noted as Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.

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Trump Plans $5,000 Adult Dividend if GOP Wins Midterms

President Trump vowed a $5,000 dividend for every adult US citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate in the upcoming elections, framing it as a dividend funded by the administration’s economic strength; the plan was pitched at GOP events as a populist measure likely costing well over $1 trillion. The announcements across multiple outlets emphasize the condition of Republican victory and a focus on domestic spending commitments.

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Trump Defends Iran War, Promises $5,000 at Convention

President Trump used the Dallas midterm convention to frame the election as a referendum on his leadership, defending the Iran war and promising bold measures to energize Republicans. He floated a $5,000 dividend for every adult if Republicans retain control of Congress and reinforced a hard line on Iran, including threats of strikes, as party allies rally around his agenda.

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Slide deploys on Trump’s Qatar-gifted jet before Dallas flight

A inflated emergency slide on the Qatar-donated Air Force One prompted questions as President Donald Trump prepared to travel to Texas, with officials saying it was part of a safety check rather than an emergency. Trump later described the slide test as a routine check, and reports indicate he remained on Marine One for about 20 minutes before boarding, while backup aircraft were involved in the logistics.

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Trump Urges GOP to Treat Him as Ballot Candidate

As the 2024 midterms approach, many Republicans are distancing themselves from President Trump or avoiding his campaign events, even as some still align loosely to avoid alienating the MAGA base. Reports show candidates editing campaign messaging and websites to downplay Trump, while organizers scramble to boost attendance at Trump’s events amid low approval ratings.

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Republicans Plan Dallas Convention Ahead of Midterms

Dallas hosts a wide RNC speaker slate for Sept. 9-10, featuring speakers such as Michael Whatley, Laurie Buckhout, Mike Collins, Brian Jack, Ken Paxton and other officials alongside high-profile figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance as the party highlights battleground races. However, the lineup has sparked Hatch Act concerns over Attorney General Todd Blanche’s appearance, drawing criticism from observers about legal limits on federal officials participating in partisan events.

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Trump Gave Three Aides $45,000 Holiday Gifts

White House disclosures show President Trump gave three aides—Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris—$45,000 each for the holidays, and $20,000 to Walt Nauta, with the total gifts labeled as a holiday bonus not tied to official duties. While the White House cites a long-standing personal gift practice, ethics experts question legality, noting potential salary supplementation and other concerns surrounding these payments.

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Democrat Pappas Wins New Hampshire Senate Nomination

New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race is shaping up as a two-front battle: Democrat Chris Pappas remains the front-runner in the primary with strong fundraising and high-profile endorsements, while progressive challenger Karishma Manzur has closed the gap and gained momentum. On the Republican side, former Sen. John Sununu leads the open-seat contest, buoyed by a Trump endorsement, as both parties eye a potentially competitive general election for Shaheen’s seat.

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Trump Convention Speech Averages 2.5 Million on Fox

Trump’s opening-night address at the Republican Midterm Convention drew modest ratings across platforms, with about 2.5 million viewers on Fox News during the 9-11 p.m. ET slot, well below typical Hannity/Gutfeld! numbers and amid NFL competition. Online viewership was also sparse, with thousands tuning in on YouTube and the convention’s own channels, highlighting a broader pattern of weaker engagement compared with his 2024 rally digital crowds and coverage on other networks.

World

US and Mexico Seek Interim Trade Deal Before Midterms

The US and Mexico are pushing to seal a bilateral USMCA-related deal before the U.S. midterms, with Canada effectively sidelined as talks focus on higher North American content, relief from Section 232 tariffs, and closing loopholes around third-country shipments, including Chinese involvement. Amid ongoing meetings and a sense of urgency, officials say a year-end agreement is plausible as both sides seek tariff relief for autos and aluminum and to reassure markets that supply chains remain tightly integrated.

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Republicans Make Islam 2026 Midterm Campaign Issue

Republican candidates in Michigan, Texas, and Alabama have intensified messaging about Muslims and Islam in racecraft ahead of the midterms, portraying Muslim political actors and concerns about Islamic law as security and constitutional issues, while facing criticism that such rhetoric risks stigmatizing a minority group. As Muslim Americans gain political visibility and representation, critics argue the tactics amount to fear-mongering that ignores broader policy concerns, even as some Republicans defend addressing extremism and security concerns.

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Illinois Governor Candidates Pursue Separate Goals at Texas Convention

The Illinois governor’s race has moved into Texas, with Pritzker and Bailey courting supporters at the Republican National Convention, Bailey seeking national exposure while Del Mar emphasizes cross-state policy transfers and Trump’s lingering influence on Bailey. In Texas, polls show Abbott-Hinojosa in a dead heat in the governor race and a tight Senate contest, with older voters tightening the gap in an AARP poll that also highlights affordability and health-care concerns shaping the race.

Matos Wins Rhode Island Democratic Primary Despite Fundraising Shortfall

Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos won the Democratic primary with about 37% of the vote, defeating four challengers including Xay Khamsyvoravong, who conceded as Matos held a solid lead and will go on to face Republican John Loughlin in November. The race featured heavy fundraising, including a dark‑money PAC push in the final days, with Matos’s background as the governor’s pick and an Afro-Latina trailblazer shaping the backdrop to debates over corporate influence and policies like grocery-store covenants.

Trump Suggests Renaming New Mexico ‘New America’

President Donald Trump has floated or shared maps and posts suggesting renaming places such as New Mexico to 'New America,' alongside prior and ongoing actions that rename other geographical names like the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' and Lake Ontario to 'Lake America,' drawing mixed reactions and prompting fact-checks. He has also posted a flag-style graphic labeling strategic waterways, such as the Strait of Hormuz as 'New U.S. Territory,' amid ongoing debate over the seriousness, legality, and diplomatic implications of these moves.

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World

Photojournalists Capture Global Scenes, Everyday Moments

A global collage of photo features spans disasters, culture, fashion and sports, technology, and nostalgia, from floods and missile strikes to film festivals, fashion weeks, and major sports events, with a 2001 nostalgia collection adding historical context. The coverage also highlights evolving realities such as a humanoid ambulance in Tokyo and other notable scenes from around the world.

Fetterman Endorses McCormick in GOP Convention Video

With the midterm cycle intensifying, Sen. John Fetterman is set to deliver a video message at the GOP convention, praising Trump and McCormick while signaling a distancing from the Democratic left and highlighting cross‑party ties. At the same time, Donald Trump has said he would consider pardoning Michael Cohen as their reconciliation unfolds, a development in the broader political and security backdrop following Zelenskyy’s drone incident near a planned flight to Oslo.

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Republicans Center Anti-Socialism Message at Unprecedented Dallas Midterm Convention

At a Dallas midterm convention dubbed ‘Trump-a-Palooza,’ President Trump headlines a high-profile push to frame Democrats as socialists, backed by a large speaker slate, fundraising events, and aggressive media outreach to energize GOP voters. While the event aims to capitalize on Trump’s agenda and boost fundraising, some Republicans warn it could backfire or pose political risks amid bleak poll trends.

Trump Teases Third Term, Eyes Life After Presidency

Across multiple reports, President Donald Trump continues to flirt with the idea of a third term while increasingly framing life after 2028, signaling a shift from persistent campaign talk to contemplating a post-presidency timeline and potential political legacy. Analysts note his inconsistent rhetoric around running again, the constitutional limits, and the political implications as midterm elections approach.

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Delaware begins 2026 primary early voting across sites

Voters in Delaware and North Carolina will kick off key voting phases for the 2026 elections, with Delaware opening primary early voting on September 2 and North Carolina beginning mail ballots as the first state to do so this cycle, ahead of Election Day on November 3. Across counties, early voting sites and extended hours are highlighted, including live accounts of voters casting ballots in Delaware and details on same-day registration opportunities during the early voting window.

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North Carolina First to Mail 2026 Absentee Ballots

North Carolina began sending absentee ballots for the 2026 general election, becoming the first state to mail ballots for the cycle, and the State Board issued updated guidance on correcting ballot issues and restricting who can return ballots, including a new spoil-and-reissue rule for unauthorized returns. The rollout unfolds amid a federal push for new mail-voting requirements championed by President Donald Trump, with the Supreme Court asked to allow changes such as envelope rules and barcode tracking.

Trump enters midterms with $400 million war chest and sinking approval

As the final midterms of President Trump’s presidency approach, his outsized influence dominates national discourse and shapes the electoral map, wealth, and policy signals with hundreds of millions at stake. Observers note the electoral intrigue includes redrawn districts, tariff-driven economic anxiety, and concerns about voting processes, all set against Trump’s unprecedented financial footprint and steady media presence.

Republicans divided over Trump headlining midterm convention

Midterms enter final stretch with control of Congress on the line

Vulnerable Republicans divided on Trump midterm convention role

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Midterm races emerge as parties eye 2026 congressional control

New Hampshire primaries raise alarms for Democrats

New Hampshire Senate race tightens, Rhode Island governor on track to lose: 5 primaries to watch

New Hampshire voters choose nominees for open Senate seat with Shaheen's retirement, and more races to watch today

What to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump’s unusual midterm convention

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The GOP was confident about keeping its Senate majority. Now the fight for control is wide open

New Hampshire voters pick nominees as Sen. Shaheen’s exit sparks a scramble for key seats

New Hampshire Senate race tightens ahead of primary vote

Justice Kavanaugh Blocks Missouri Voting Map Benefiting Republicans

House Republicans split over attending Trump convention

Pappas, Sununu sweep to victory in U.S. Senate primaries

Chris Pappas Defeats Progressive Challenger in New Hampshire Senate Primary

Missouri Supreme Court orders Denny Hoskins to answer on contempt charge

New Hampshire primary results draw Democratic alarm and voter apathy

Republicans open Trump-led midterm convention in Texas

Supreme Court Weighs Trump Bid to Expand Voter Verification

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to revive or modify the voter verification SAVE database as states review registration records, adding another major election-related case to the court’s docket. Separately, the administration’s push to enforce new federal mail-ballot rules faces legal hurdles with injunctions and Supreme Court review, raising questions about election integrity and potential disenfranchisement while states run upcoming elections.

Missouri Supreme Court orders election official to answer contempt charge

Missouri Supreme Court Sets Contempt Hearing in Fight Over House Map

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Rhode Island Democratic governor faces primary challenge over bridge delays

Competing court orders add confusion to Missouri congressional elections

Republicans Gather in Dallas as Trump Faces Midterm Tests

Conflicting Court Rulings Leave Missouri Congressional Map in Flux

Supreme Court rejects bid to revive Missouri’s pro-GOP redistricting before midterms

New Hampshire Senate Race Tightens as Sununu Gains

Supreme Court rejects Missouri Republicans’ request to use new congressional map

Conflicting federal rulings leave Missouri congressional map in limbo

Shaheen wins Democratic primary for New Hampshire House seat left open by Pappas

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Some Republican Senate Candidates Skip Trump’s Convention

GOP plans midterm convention as Canada tariffs take effect

Capitol agenda: Republicans hope Trump won’t dominate Dallas

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New Hampshire primary kicks off battle for one of nation's key open Senate seats

Trump headlines Texas GOP convention to rally voters and donors

Nine Senate Battlegrounds Could Decide Midterm Control

Democrats must flip four Senate seats to claim a majority in the November 3 midterms, with analysts identifying nine highly competitive races from North Carolina and Michigan to Texas and Alaska, where candidate quality and national dynamics such as President Trump’s low approval ratings could sway outcomes. In the House, Democrats aim to gain about three seats in key battlegrounds including Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida, amid a political environment that mirrors 2022 contrasts of an unfavorable president and inflation, potentially reshaping control across Congress.

New Hampshire GOP primary favors familiar faces over anti-establishment trend

New Hampshire’s eight-candidate Republican Senate primary is led by two former senators, John Sununu and Scott Brown, illustrating voters’ comfort with familiar names rather than anti-establishment candidates. The race will contrast with Democrats’ slate of younger and progressive contenders, while Sununu’s comeback is aided by his family name and a long absence from the ballot.