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| Midterms live: early voting swells in several key states – latest updates | Midterms live: early voting swells in several key states – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump, who this week injected the issue of birthright citizenship into the election - saying he would issue an executive order saying that babies born in the United States will no longer automatically be citizens - posted a tweet storm defending the idea. | |
| Most experts say Trump could not legally end birthright citizenship, since the 14th amendment to the Constitution says that all persons born in the United States are citizens. Trump insists this interpretation is wrong and predicts the Supreme Court will agree with him. | |
| So-called Birthright Citizenship, which costs our Country billions of dollars and is very unfair to our citizens, will be ended one way or the other. It is not covered by the 14th Amendment because of the words “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Many legal scholars agree..... | |
| ....Harry Reid was right in 1993, before he and the Democrats went insane and started with the Open Borders (which brings massive Crime) “stuff.” Don’t forget the nasty term Anchor Babies. I will keep our Country safe. This case will be settled by the United States Supreme Court! | |
| The World is using our laws to our detriment. They laugh at the Stupidity they see! | |
| Here’s some more context from the New York Times on how the birthright citizenship proposal is the latest thing Trump has thrown out in the midterms home stretch to “see what sticks.” | |
| House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has grown a lot more confident about Democrats’ chances in the midterms - maybe too confident, if you ask “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert. | |
| “Let me say this: Up until today, I would have said if the election were held today, we would win,” Pelosi told Colbert on Tuesday’s show. “What now I’m saying is, we will win, we will win, we will win.” | |
| Colbert responded: “Please don’t say that. Please don’t say that. Do you want to say that on Hillary’s fireworks barge that she canceled? Please don’t say that.” He asked here, “And how long are the curtains that you’re measuring now?” | |
| But Pelosi didn’t back off, saying Democrats are “not measuring, we’re just walking precincts.” | |
| “If everyone votes we’ll have even a bigger victory. But Democrats will carry the House. If we have a bigger victory, the Senate, the governorships. It’s going to be a great night for America.” | |
| Colbert remained wary. “I feel like I should sacrifice a goat or something to take the hex off of what you just said,” he said. | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levin reports from Boise, Idaho, where Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan is seeking to become the nation’s first Native American governor. | The Guardian’s Sam Levin reports from Boise, Idaho, where Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan is seeking to become the nation’s first Native American governor. |
| She’s an underdog to be sure, but running hard: | She’s an underdog to be sure, but running hard: |
| The Democratic nominee for Idaho governor is a night owl and stayed in her office past 1am for her final marathon session of debate prep. Dressed in sweatpants and a running jacket and drinking yerba mate tea for energy, she rehearsed until she couldn’t any more. | The Democratic nominee for Idaho governor is a night owl and stayed in her office past 1am for her final marathon session of debate prep. Dressed in sweatpants and a running jacket and drinking yerba mate tea for energy, she rehearsed until she couldn’t any more. |
| Win or lose, her campaign has also shaken up politics in the conservative western state and brought mainstream attention to disenfranchised communities and progressive policy ideas that aren’t typically in vogue there: | Win or lose, her campaign has also shaken up politics in the conservative western state and brought mainstream attention to disenfranchised communities and progressive policy ideas that aren’t typically in vogue there: |
| Jordan grew up on a farm in rural northern Idaho, hundreds of miles from Boise, the state capital. Her grandparents were chiefs, and her ancestors were prominent tribal leaders who fought the settlers who forced indigenous people to live on reservations... | Jordan grew up on a farm in rural northern Idaho, hundreds of miles from Boise, the state capital. Her grandparents were chiefs, and her ancestors were prominent tribal leaders who fought the settlers who forced indigenous people to live on reservations... |
| Jordan later became the youngest person elected to the Coeur d’Alene tribal council. As a single mother of two, her community’s crises also thrust her into organizing. | Jordan later became the youngest person elected to the Coeur d’Alene tribal council. As a single mother of two, her community’s crises also thrust her into organizing. |
| Idaho is consistently one of the lowest-ranking – if not the worst in the country – in healthcare, suicide rates, wages, women’s status and schools. Rural towns lack basic funding and teachers, and four-day school weeks are routine. Jordan’s small town of Plummer is one of the worst. | Idaho is consistently one of the lowest-ranking – if not the worst in the country – in healthcare, suicide rates, wages, women’s status and schools. Rural towns lack basic funding and teachers, and four-day school weeks are routine. Jordan’s small town of Plummer is one of the worst. |
| The failures came into sharp focus when her son’s elementary school was about to lose its accreditation. | The failures came into sharp focus when her son’s elementary school was about to lose its accreditation. |
| “All they were doing is paying for the bare minimum cost to keep the lights on,” Jordan said, recalling a letter the district sent to families encouraging them to find other schools, admitting their offerings were inadequate. “We just weren’t keeping up with modern-day society.” | “All they were doing is paying for the bare minimum cost to keep the lights on,” Jordan said, recalling a letter the district sent to families encouraging them to find other schools, admitting their offerings were inadequate. “We just weren’t keeping up with modern-day society.” |
| Here’s a video looking at four women candidates who could break new ground in the midterms: | Here’s a video looking at four women candidates who could break new ground in the midterms: |
| The Guardian’s Josh Wood reports from Boston, where a statewide referendum will ask voters to decide whether or not to eliminate a 2016 state law protecting transgender individuals from discrimination in public spaces like restaurants and shops. | The Guardian’s Josh Wood reports from Boston, where a statewide referendum will ask voters to decide whether or not to eliminate a 2016 state law protecting transgender individuals from discrimination in public spaces like restaurants and shops. |
| The 6 November ballot question will mark the first statewide referendum in the country that threatens to revoke previously guaranteed transgender rights. If the law is successfully repealed, transgender rights activists worry that it could trigger similar campaigns elsewhere in the country. | The 6 November ballot question will mark the first statewide referendum in the country that threatens to revoke previously guaranteed transgender rights. If the law is successfully repealed, transgender rights activists worry that it could trigger similar campaigns elsewhere in the country. |
| “Question 3 poses significant consequences for transgender people across Massachusetts, but it also would have significant consequences for transgender people across the country,” said Sarah McBride, the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT rights group. | “Question 3 poses significant consequences for transgender people across Massachusetts, but it also would have significant consequences for transgender people across the country,” said Sarah McBride, the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT rights group. |
| “If opponents of equality can win here they’re going to take those strategies, they’re going to take those tactics and they’re going to try to replicate them in other places,” she added. | “If opponents of equality can win here they’re going to take those strategies, they’re going to take those tactics and they’re going to try to replicate them in other places,” she added. |
| Ballot question 3 asks voters if they want to keep or repeal a 2016 law that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in public spaces and allows them to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. | Ballot question 3 asks voters if they want to keep or repeal a 2016 law that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in public spaces and allows them to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. |
| The group behind the ballot question is Keep MA Safe. They charge that with the current law in place, women and children are endangered as men can enter women’s locker rooms and restrooms at will by simply stating that they identify as a woman. The group’s logo features a man standing on a toilet to peep on a woman in the next stall. And their campaign ads portray a man lying in wait in a bathroom stall before spying on an unsuspecting woman. As she unbuttons her blouse, the stall door begins to open and a deep grunt is heard. | The group behind the ballot question is Keep MA Safe. They charge that with the current law in place, women and children are endangered as men can enter women’s locker rooms and restrooms at will by simply stating that they identify as a woman. The group’s logo features a man standing on a toilet to peep on a woman in the next stall. And their campaign ads portray a man lying in wait in a bathroom stall before spying on an unsuspecting woman. As she unbuttons her blouse, the stall door begins to open and a deep grunt is heard. |
| The ballot measure is a bit of a twist in a solidly liberal state, and polls show support at 70% for keeping the anti-discrimination law in place. But there’s concern that voters may be confused by the wording of a question, which requires a “yes” vote in order to keep the law and a “no” to repeal. | The ballot measure is a bit of a twist in a solidly liberal state, and polls show support at 70% for keeping the anti-discrimination law in place. But there’s concern that voters may be confused by the wording of a question, which requires a “yes” vote in order to keep the law and a “no” to repeal. |
| Steve Bannon has once again drawn notably low turnout as he does his best to rally for Republicans. | Steve Bannon has once again drawn notably low turnout as he does his best to rally for Republicans. |
| The former Donald Trump adviser hosted a rally this week in North Topeka, Kansas, where about 25 people showed up at a Holiday Inn Express on US-24 highway, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. The total included event organizers and documentary makers following Bannon. | The former Donald Trump adviser hosted a rally this week in North Topeka, Kansas, where about 25 people showed up at a Holiday Inn Express on US-24 highway, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. The total included event organizers and documentary makers following Bannon. |
| Bannon said he flew there to support Republican Steve Watkins in a House race against Democrat Paul Davis, after a New York Times poll showed Davis with a four point lead. | Bannon said he flew there to support Republican Steve Watkins in a House race against Democrat Paul Davis, after a New York Times poll showed Davis with a four point lead. |
| It was an even smaller turnout than a rally Bannon held in Elma, New York last week, where about 200 people showed up. None of the Republican candidates Bannon had come in to support turned up either. | It was an even smaller turnout than a rally Bannon held in Elma, New York last week, where about 200 people showed up. None of the Republican candidates Bannon had come in to support turned up either. |
| The Guardian’s Bryan Mealer reports on the Vote Common Good tour, which features a band of “Jesus freaks” upending the usual evangelical script and campaigning for progressive candidates: | The Guardian’s Bryan Mealer reports on the Vote Common Good tour, which features a band of “Jesus freaks” upending the usual evangelical script and campaigning for progressive candidates: |
| At each stop, local congressional candidates – mainly Democrats – are invited to give a short stump speech. In San Antonio, it’s rumored Beto O’Rourke will appear. | At each stop, local congressional candidates – mainly Democrats – are invited to give a short stump speech. In San Antonio, it’s rumored Beto O’Rourke will appear. |
| The tour, funded by nearly $1m in private donations, started in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on 2 October, and will conclude in Los Angeles just before the midterm elections. | The tour, funded by nearly $1m in private donations, started in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on 2 October, and will conclude in Los Angeles just before the midterm elections. |
| Leader Doug Pagitt, a pastor from Minneapolis, hatched the idea after the election of Donald Trump, who has a large base of support among evangelicals: | Leader Doug Pagitt, a pastor from Minneapolis, hatched the idea after the election of Donald Trump, who has a large base of support among evangelicals: |
| After the 2016 election, he and other clergy were shocked by the overwhelming support Trump received from white evangelicals – over 80%, according to polls – and felt they couldn’t sit idle. “We felt we had to do something, but what?” he says. | After the 2016 election, he and other clergy were shocked by the overwhelming support Trump received from white evangelicals – over 80%, according to polls – and felt they couldn’t sit idle. “We felt we had to do something, but what?” he says. |
| Pagitt, who identifies as evangelical and is well-known in progressive Christian circles, started making phone calls and soon hatched a plan: a proper barnstorming that would sweep the country like the old-time tent revivals. “What we’re doing is inviting people into the good news by literally showing up, meeting them in their own place, and making it personal. That is truly the heart of the Christian story.” | Pagitt, who identifies as evangelical and is well-known in progressive Christian circles, started making phone calls and soon hatched a plan: a proper barnstorming that would sweep the country like the old-time tent revivals. “What we’re doing is inviting people into the good news by literally showing up, meeting them in their own place, and making it personal. That is truly the heart of the Christian story.” |
| But in such polarized times, does he think conservatives who hear this message – however morally conflicted – will actually vote for a Democrat? “I don’t know,” he says, shrugging. “But if you stay comfortable, things are just gonna stay as they are. | But in such polarized times, does he think conservatives who hear this message – however morally conflicted – will actually vote for a Democrat? “I don’t know,” he says, shrugging. “But if you stay comfortable, things are just gonna stay as they are. |
| Oprah is headed to Georgia to stump for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. | Oprah is headed to Georgia to stump for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. |
| She’ll join Abrams, who if elected would be the first black female governor anywhere in the country, on the trail on Thursday, Buzzfeed reported. | She’ll join Abrams, who if elected would be the first black female governor anywhere in the country, on the trail on Thursday, Buzzfeed reported. |
| Winfrey is appearing with Abrams a day ahead of former President Barack Obama’s trip to the state to campaign with her. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence will be campaigning with her Republican opponent, Secretary of State Brian Kemp. | Winfrey is appearing with Abrams a day ahead of former President Barack Obama’s trip to the state to campaign with her. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence will be campaigning with her Republican opponent, Secretary of State Brian Kemp. |
| The race is one of the closest in the country, with the candidates in a statistical dead heat in a poll from Wednesday, and has been marked by persistent allegations of voter suppression. | The race is one of the closest in the country, with the candidates in a statistical dead heat in a poll from Wednesday, and has been marked by persistent allegations of voter suppression. |
| Early voter turnout is surging in several key states, suggesting more Americans may cast their ballots in this year’s midterms. | Early voter turnout is surging in several key states, suggesting more Americans may cast their ballots in this year’s midterms. |
| Reports of high turnout have come in from Georgia, Florida, Texas, Maryland, and beyond. | Reports of high turnout have come in from Georgia, Florida, Texas, Maryland, and beyond. |
| A week before election day, 11 states have already recorded more early votes than they did in all of 2014, and many are seeing numbers rivaling the 2016 presidential election. | A week before election day, 11 states have already recorded more early votes than they did in all of 2014, and many are seeing numbers rivaling the 2016 presidential election. |
| Read more from me here. | Read more from me here. |
| Good morning and welcome to the Guardian US’s 2018 midterms live blog. | Good morning and welcome to the Guardian US’s 2018 midterms live blog. |
| Next week, Americans head to the polls to determine who will control the House, the Senate, and governorships around the country. | Next week, Americans head to the polls to determine who will control the House, the Senate, and governorships around the country. |
| As the election draws closer, we’ll be posting live updates from our reporters on the ground, news from other sources, and election analysis. Stay tuned. | As the election draws closer, we’ll be posting live updates from our reporters on the ground, news from other sources, and election analysis. Stay tuned. |