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Midterm elections: early voting swells in several key states – live updates Midterm elections: early voting swells in several key states – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump hit back at House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said the president “obviously” can’t end birthright citizenship with an executive order.
“Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about!” Trump said in a tweet.
Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about! Our new Republican Majority will work on this, Closing the Immigration Loopholes and Securing our Border!
“Well you obviously cannot do that,” Ryan told Lexington, Kentucky, radio station WVLK-AM Wednesday. “You cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order.”
The 14th amendment to the Constitution says that people born in the United States are citizens, but Trump and some legal scholars have argued that does not guarantee birthright citizenship.
That razor thin Georgia governor’s race may not have a winner on election night, because there is a third party candidate in the race and state law requires a candidate to win an outright majority or else face a runoff. The Associated Press reports:
Ted Metz may not get many votes in the Georgia governor’s race, but the Libertarian candidate is on the ballot, raising the possibility that no one else will get to declare victory on Election Day either.
Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams are in the home stretch of a closely watched race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Nathan Deal, and polls have consistently shown the rivals running neck and neck.
Metz’s third-party campaign has attracted scant attention, but he could still play a defining role in Tuesday’s outcome. If the vote margin between Kemp and Abrams is close enough, even a small percentage of votes for Metz could force the two major party contenders into a month of overtime culminating in a runoff election Dec. 4.
That’s because Georgia requires candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to win an election.
“The reason why you have to take it seriously is we expect the margin is going to be so close between Kemp and Abrams,” said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. “It’s probably going to be the closest we’ve seen in a long while.”
New York Rep. Joe Crowley famously lost September’s primary to upstart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but flyers are circulating urging voters to vote for Crowley anyway.
The flyer, whose source is unclear, points out that “many of us did not turn out on primary day” and calls Crowley, the powerful chair of the Queens Democratic party, “an accomplished leader with a well-documented progressive voting record, Gerson Borrero reports.
Crowley will still be on the ballot as the nominee of the liberal Working Families Party as well as the Women’s Equality Party, a line created by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Crowley’s camp said they had nothing to do with the mailer and called is a “distraction” from Democrats’ effort to win back the House, according to NY1.
Maine will be the first state in a federal general election to use instant runoff voting, the Washington Post reported.
The system, also known as ranked choice voting, allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference instead of voting for just one candidate.
If a candidate gets a majority of first choice votes, they win the election. But if no candidate gets a majority, the candidate with the fewest first choice votes is eliminated, and those votes are assigned to the voter’s second choice candidate. The process continues until someone gets a majority.
Next week Maine voters will choose a new governor, Sen. Angus King, an independent, is up for re-election, and there are elections in the state’s two House districts.
A new poll shows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ahead by just 3.6 percentage points among likely voters over his Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.A new poll shows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ahead by just 3.6 percentage points among likely voters over his Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.
The University of Texas at Tyler poll released late Wednesday found 47% of likely voters back Cruz, and 43.4% back O’Rourke, the Texas Tribune reported.The University of Texas at Tyler poll released late Wednesday found 47% of likely voters back Cruz, and 43.4% back O’Rourke, the Texas Tribune reported.
Other recent polls have shown the Republican opponent with a larger, but shrinking, lead over the Democrat.Other recent polls have shown the Republican opponent with a larger, but shrinking, lead over the Democrat.
A Democratic dark money group called the Hub Project has set up at least 14 affiliate groups around the country to go after Republicans on their health care and economic policies, the New York times reports.A Democratic dark money group called the Hub Project has set up at least 14 affiliate groups around the country to go after Republicans on their health care and economic policies, the New York times reports.
All of the groups are funded and coordinated out of a single office in Washington.All of the groups are funded and coordinated out of a single office in Washington.
The organization is on track to spend nearly $30 million since 2017, most of it from donors who are not required to disclose their identities.The organization is on track to spend nearly $30 million since 2017, most of it from donors who are not required to disclose their identities.
The affiliate groups include Floridians for a Fair Shake, Keep Iowa Healthy, New Jersey for a Better Future and North Carolinians for a Fair Economy, and they have targeted some of the country’s most imperiled Republican incumbents.The affiliate groups include Floridians for a Fair Shake, Keep Iowa Healthy, New Jersey for a Better Future and North Carolinians for a Fair Economy, and they have targeted some of the country’s most imperiled Republican incumbents.
The Anti-Defamation League has sent the House speaker, Paul Ryan, a letter requesting that Steve King, the controversial Iowa Republican, be stripped of committee assignments and formally censured , our Tom McCarthy and Ben Jacobs report.The Anti-Defamation League has sent the House speaker, Paul Ryan, a letter requesting that Steve King, the controversial Iowa Republican, be stripped of committee assignments and formally censured , our Tom McCarthy and Ben Jacobs report.
The ADL cited a “disturbing series of involvements and statements … that are antisemitic and offensive not just to the Jewish community, but to all Americans.”The ADL cited a “disturbing series of involvements and statements … that are antisemitic and offensive not just to the Jewish community, but to all Americans.”
The letter was the latest in a series of extraordinary setbacks for King, an eight-term congressman who has regularly been re-elected in Iowa’s fourth congressional district by double-digit margins.The letter was the latest in a series of extraordinary setbacks for King, an eight-term congressman who has regularly been re-elected in Iowa’s fourth congressional district by double-digit margins.
The national Republican party withdrew support from King on Tuesday, with a tweet from Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is in charge of defending the Republican House majority.The national Republican party withdrew support from King on Tuesday, with a tweet from Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is in charge of defending the Republican House majority.
“Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate,” Stivers tweeted. “We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.”“Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate,” Stivers tweeted. “We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.”
Things have changed dramatically from just a few days ago, when Tom filed this story reporting that King’s history of controversial comments had done little to dampen his support.Things have changed dramatically from just a few days ago, when Tom filed this story reporting that King’s history of controversial comments had done little to dampen his support.
Democrats are accusing Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp - who doubles as the Republican candidate for governor and the incumbent Secretary of State overseeing elections - of showing disregard for election security, the Washington Post reports.Democrats are accusing Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp - who doubles as the Republican candidate for governor and the incumbent Secretary of State overseeing elections - of showing disregard for election security, the Washington Post reports.
At issue is the state’s electronic voting machines, which lack a backup paper record.At issue is the state’s electronic voting machines, which lack a backup paper record.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called the machines a “disaster.”Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called the machines a “disaster.”
“Secretary of State Kemp has shown a total disregard for election security,” Wyden told the Post. “He seems to see a personal benefit to ignoring the urgent warnings from experts and intelligence agencies about the threats to Georgia’s election system.”“Secretary of State Kemp has shown a total disregard for election security,” Wyden told the Post. “He seems to see a personal benefit to ignoring the urgent warnings from experts and intelligence agencies about the threats to Georgia’s election system.”
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly gave a backhanded compliment to non-white members of his staff during a debate this week, the Washington Post reports.Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly gave a backhanded compliment to non-white members of his staff during a debate this week, the Washington Post reports.
Donnelly is a conservative Democrat in tight re-election fight.Donnelly is a conservative Democrat in tight re-election fight.
“Our state director is Indian American, but he does an amazing job. Our director of all constituent services, she’s African American, but she does an even more incredible job than you could ever imagine,” he said.“Our state director is Indian American, but he does an amazing job. Our director of all constituent services, she’s African American, but she does an even more incredible job than you could ever imagine,” he said.
A Twitter commenter compared the inartful wording unfavorably to the hapless Michael Scott.A Twitter commenter compared the inartful wording unfavorably to the hapless Michael Scott.
(via DM) "Donnelly is like Michael Scott in the Diversity Day episode" pic.twitter.com/TpFvUSQHaz(via DM) "Donnelly is like Michael Scott in the Diversity Day episode" pic.twitter.com/TpFvUSQHaz
A new poll Wednesday found challenger Mike Braun narrowly ahead of Donnelly, 49% to 46%.A new poll Wednesday found challenger Mike Braun narrowly ahead of Donnelly, 49% to 46%.
Former Republican Virginia Sen. John Warner has endorsed a Democrat in a House race in the state, the Fauquier Times reported.Former Republican Virginia Sen. John Warner has endorsed a Democrat in a House race in the state, the Fauquier Times reported.
Warner endorsed Leslie Cockburn, a former investigative journalist running in the state’s 5th district. She’s up against Denver Riggleman, who got Donald Trump’s endorsement this week.Warner endorsed Leslie Cockburn, a former investigative journalist running in the state’s 5th district. She’s up against Denver Riggleman, who got Donald Trump’s endorsement this week.
“I’m still a Republican. I’m going to tell this gang, I’m still a Republican,” Warner told the Fauquier Times. “You can’t take that away from me. But you’ve got to have the courage to do what’s right for the country and what’s right for your state.”“I’m still a Republican. I’m going to tell this gang, I’m still a Republican,” Warner told the Fauquier Times. “You can’t take that away from me. But you’ve got to have the courage to do what’s right for the country and what’s right for your state.”
A political mailer in a Connecticut state Senate race is drawing charges of antisemitism.A political mailer in a Connecticut state Senate race is drawing charges of antisemitism.
The postcard, sent by Republican Senate candidate Ed Charamut, arrived in mailboxes on Monday, the Hartford Courant reports - two days after an anti-Jewish shooter killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.The postcard, sent by Republican Senate candidate Ed Charamut, arrived in mailboxes on Monday, the Hartford Courant reports - two days after an anti-Jewish shooter killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.
The mailer features an image of the Democrat in the race, Matt Lesser, who is Jewish, clutching a handful of hundred dollar bills with an eager grin on his face.The mailer features an image of the Democrat in the race, Matt Lesser, who is Jewish, clutching a handful of hundred dollar bills with an eager grin on his face.
“The juxtaposition of a Jewish candidate for office and money in this manner suggests an age-old anti-Semitic trope,” Steve Ginsburg, regional director of ADL Connecticut, told the Courant.“The juxtaposition of a Jewish candidate for office and money in this manner suggests an age-old anti-Semitic trope,” Steve Ginsburg, regional director of ADL Connecticut, told the Courant.
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.”
Michael Waldman, the president of the Brennan Center for Justice , told the paper the president seems to be making it up as he goes along.
“The executive order is flatly unconstitutional. It’s pretend,” he said. “The tax cut is pretend. Sending troops to the border is expensive theater. Trump is throwing out these ever wilder ideas in the hope to dominate the news.”
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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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 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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read more from me here.
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.
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.