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Election Day 2018: Voters Head to the Polls, and America Waits for Answers Election Day 2018: Voters Head to the Polls, and America Waits for Answers
(about 1 hour later)
This is it. Today is the voters’ day, and America gets some answers. Voters on Tuesday waited out winding lines at their polling places and trudged through often unpleasant weather conditions to turn out in what both parties expected to be extraordinary numbers for a midterm election.
As of Tuesday afternoon, technical issues were reported at the polls in some corners of the country, including Georgia. But mostly the early hours seemed to approximate a typical Election Day — albeit one with uncommon intensity in a non-presidential year — as candidates blitzed their states and districts to whip up 11th-hour support and cast ballots themselves.
Polls start closing at 6 p.m. Eastern Time: Here is a full list of closing times.
Until then, come back here all day for news and check-ins with voters and candidates across the country.
Will Representative Beto O’Rourke pull off the upset of the year and beat Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in the 2018 midterm elections?Will Representative Beto O’Rourke pull off the upset of the year and beat Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in the 2018 midterm elections?
Will Republicans hold onto their majorities in the House and Senate?Will Republicans hold onto their majorities in the House and Senate?
Will President Trump’s supporters come out in force at the polls once again? Will a “blue wave” happen?Will President Trump’s supporters come out in force at the polls once again? Will a “blue wave” happen?
Will Georgia elect Brian Kemp or Stacey Abrams its next governor — or will the two end up in a runoff, if a libertarian candidate keeps either from breaking 50 percent?Will Georgia elect Brian Kemp or Stacey Abrams its next governor — or will the two end up in a runoff, if a libertarian candidate keeps either from breaking 50 percent?
Will Florida make Andrew Gillum its first black governor, or choose a Trump ally who warned voters not to “monkey this up” by backing Mr. Gillum?Will Florida make Andrew Gillum its first black governor, or choose a Trump ally who warned voters not to “monkey this up” by backing Mr. Gillum?
Polls start closing at 6 p.m. Eastern Time: Here is a full list of closing times.
Until then, come back here all day for news and check-ins with voters and candidates across the country.
• In a Texas Senate race that, yes, may come down to turnout, Mr. Cruz’s campaign initially projected that just over six million people would cast ballots. But that was before nearly 4.9 million Texans voted early in the state’s 30 largest counties. Now, Mr. Cruz’s aides believe turnout will be around 7.5 million.
But other Texas political strategists think total turnout may crack eight million — an extraordinary showing in a midterm campaign and one that would indicate Mr. O’Rourke, a Democratic congressman, has found a new reservoir of voters. Keep in mind: Just under nine million Texans voted in the 2016 presidential election.
The energy around Mr. O’Rourke’s candidacy aside, his prospects matter immensely to Democratic senators: If he somehow wins and his party also picks up Senate seats in Nevada and Arizona, they would have an outside chance to claim control of the chamber. To do so, Democrats would be able to lose just one seat — most likely in North Dakota — and would have to hold a handful of states where they have incumbents who appear far more endangered in the polls than Mr. Cruz.
So it’s a stretch. But it’s not impossible, particularly if the Democratic trends that have been on display in the House in the final week also materialize in the Senate.
• Republican Party officials began Election Day guardedly hopeful about keeping control of the Senate — keeping their one-vote majority or going down to a 50-50 split with Vice President Mike Pence able to cast tiebreaking votes.
They were girding for losses in the House: Strategists in both parties see Democrats on track to win upward of 35 seats. The G.O.P. now holds a 23-seat majority. But neither party was predicting outright victory. As in the Texas Senate race, early voting and likely turnout appear high, which Democrats see in their favor — but the same was true in some states in 2016, and Mr. Trump crushed Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College.
• President Trump wrapped up his three-state campaign swing in Missouri Monday night, joined on stage by the Fox News host Sean Hannity, despite Fox statements that Mr. Hannity would not be a guest. Mr. Hannity gave Mr. Trump a hug and then mocked the journalists in the rally’s media pen as “fake news” — including his own colleagues at Fox.
Mr. Trump focused on Monday on boosting Republican candidates for Senate and governor in the Midwest; his advisers have started preparing him for the possibility of losing the House.
BETHLEHEM, Ga. — Officials in Gwinnett County, Ga., near Atlanta, said Tuesday that four of the county's 156 precincts had suffered technical delays as Election Day voting began in the intensely competitive race for governor between Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams.BETHLEHEM, Ga. — Officials in Gwinnett County, Ga., near Atlanta, said Tuesday that four of the county's 156 precincts had suffered technical delays as Election Day voting began in the intensely competitive race for governor between Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams.
Joe Sorenson, a spokesman for the county, said the precincts had reported issues with the system that creates voter access cards for Georgia’s electronic polling system. At the three where problems lingered at midmorning, people were being allowed to cast paper ballots.Joe Sorenson, a spokesman for the county, said the precincts had reported issues with the system that creates voter access cards for Georgia’s electronic polling system. At the three where problems lingered at midmorning, people were being allowed to cast paper ballots.
“We’ve got people who are voting with the paper ballots, and we’ve got people who are standing to wait for the machines to be fixed, and we’ve got people who said they are planning to come back,” said Mr. Sorenson. He said the county was asking a judge to extend the hours beyond the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time.“We’ve got people who are voting with the paper ballots, and we’ve got people who are standing to wait for the machines to be fixed, and we’ve got people who said they are planning to come back,” said Mr. Sorenson. He said the county was asking a judge to extend the hours beyond the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time.
Gwinnett, a rapidly diversifying patchwork of suburbs, has long been a Republican stronghold, but Hillary Clinton carried the county in 2016.Gwinnett, a rapidly diversifying patchwork of suburbs, has long been a Republican stronghold, but Hillary Clinton carried the county in 2016.
Problems voting were also being reported in other states, including Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Arizona.Problems voting were also being reported in other states, including Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Arizona.
— Alan Blinder— Alan Blinder
EL PASO, Tex. — Coffee mug in hand, Representative Beto O’Rourke voted Tuesday morning at a polling site down the street from his home in downtown El Paso.EL PASO, Tex. — Coffee mug in hand, Representative Beto O’Rourke voted Tuesday morning at a polling site down the street from his home in downtown El Paso.
Mr. O’Rourke has been trying to unseat Senator Ted Cruz and become the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988. As a pack of journalists surrounded him outside, he was asked if he expected to win.Mr. O’Rourke has been trying to unseat Senator Ted Cruz and become the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988. As a pack of journalists surrounded him outside, he was asked if he expected to win.
“Yes,” he replied.“Yes,” he replied.
He said he wasn’t basing that feeling on the polls. “I just have traveled to every single county in Texas and listened to everybody,” said Mr. O’Rourke, as his wife and three children stood by his side. “I have so many amazing volunteers that we’re working with, knocking on millions of doors, making that human-to-human connection that we are in such desperate need of at this moment of division in the country. I feel it.”He said he wasn’t basing that feeling on the polls. “I just have traveled to every single county in Texas and listened to everybody,” said Mr. O’Rourke, as his wife and three children stood by his side. “I have so many amazing volunteers that we’re working with, knocking on millions of doors, making that human-to-human connection that we are in such desperate need of at this moment of division in the country. I feel it.”
He answered a few more questions, in Spanish and English, and then cut things short.He answered a few more questions, in Spanish and English, and then cut things short.
“We’re going to walk back to our house right now,” he said, “and get these guys to school.”“We’re going to walk back to our house right now,” he said, “and get these guys to school.”
— Manny Fernandez— Manny Fernandez
CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. — Voters trickled into the local high school on a warm rainy morning. Many said they came more for Mr. Trump than for any local candidate.CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. — Voters trickled into the local high school on a warm rainy morning. Many said they came more for Mr. Trump than for any local candidate.
“This is the first time in a long time I feel like I’m making a difference,” said Chance Bradley, a hardware store worker. He said he came to vote for a measure on the West Virginia ballot that would effectively end state funding for abortion. “With Trump, everything’s changed. Now people are out talking about what’s going on. I actually hear voices talking about things that matter. I feel like an American again.”“This is the first time in a long time I feel like I’m making a difference,” said Chance Bradley, a hardware store worker. He said he came to vote for a measure on the West Virginia ballot that would effectively end state funding for abortion. “With Trump, everything’s changed. Now people are out talking about what’s going on. I actually hear voices talking about things that matter. I feel like an American again.”
But others came because they didn’t like Mr. Trump.But others came because they didn’t like Mr. Trump.
“The truth ain’t in him,” said Carl Blevins, 60, a retired coal miner who said he voted for Senator Joe Manchin, the Democratic incumbent. He said he could not understand how miners could vote for the Republican candidate, Patrick Morrisey, who he believes will cut benefits for retired miners. “I don’t know what’s wrong with these people. They’ll fight you over Trump. I can’t understand it. I think they put something in the water.”“The truth ain’t in him,” said Carl Blevins, 60, a retired coal miner who said he voted for Senator Joe Manchin, the Democratic incumbent. He said he could not understand how miners could vote for the Republican candidate, Patrick Morrisey, who he believes will cut benefits for retired miners. “I don’t know what’s wrong with these people. They’ll fight you over Trump. I can’t understand it. I think they put something in the water.”
He added: “There’s a man who lives up there, he’s all bent over and disabled. He has Morrisey signs all over his yard. He might as well go get a shotgun and blow his brains out. That’s what he’s asking for.”He added: “There’s a man who lives up there, he’s all bent over and disabled. He has Morrisey signs all over his yard. He might as well go get a shotgun and blow his brains out. That’s what he’s asking for.”
A representative of the West Virginia secretary of state’s office, Lee Dean, said the polling place at the high school in Champmanville was empty in comparison to the bustle during the primary in May.A representative of the West Virginia secretary of state’s office, Lee Dean, said the polling place at the high school in Champmanville was empty in comparison to the bustle during the primary in May.
— Sabrina Tavernise— Sabrina Tavernise
[The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.][The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.]
Here’s what’s going on in four states with contentious policies surrounding voting.
Georgia has been a battleground over voting rights, made only more complicated because the Republican candidate for governor, Brian Kemp, is also the secretary of state overseeing the election. And just two days before the election, Mr. Kemp threw a wrench into the proceedings when his office announced that it would investigate the Georgia Democratic Party for allegedly trying to hack the state’s voter registration system — an explosive claim for which officials provided no evidence.
Last month, it was revealed that Mr. Kemp’s office had frozen more than 50,000 voter applications, most of them from minority residents, because names on applications didn’t match those on government IDs. In some cases, these discrepancies were as small as a dropped hyphen. When early voting began last month, more problems emerged, including extremely long wait times. But a judge ruled Friday that the state must allow more than 3,000 naturalized citizens whose applications were improperly flagged to vote normally by presenting proof of citizenship.
In North Dakota, opponents of a new residential address requirement lost a last-ditch attempt to stop it when a federal judge said it was too close to Election Day to issue an injunction. [Read more about the requirement and how it’s affecting Native Americans, many of whom don’t use residential addresses.] Advocacy groups are urging Native Americans to show up to the polls even if they don’t have the required identification, and to demand a provisional ballot if they are turned away. After Election Day, the groups might ask the courts to order those ballots counted.
Elsewhere, a court ruled late last month that voters in Shelby County, Tenn., must be allowed to correct errors or omissions on their voter registration forms and vote normally on Election Day. And among other controversies in Kansas — where Secretary of State Kris Kobach is, like Mr. Kemp in Georgia, the Republican candidate for governor — voters in Hispanic-majority Dodge City have to go outside the city limits to find their polling place, which is the only one for an electorate of 27,000.
— Maggie Astor
Voters across the country will decide on ballot initiatives that address a range of hot-button issues. Here are a few of the big ones.Voters across the country will decide on ballot initiatives that address a range of hot-button issues. Here are a few of the big ones.
Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is on the ballot in Michigan and North Dakota. The North Dakota initiative, Measure 3, would also expunge marijuana convictions from criminal records; the Michigan initiative, Proposal 1, would not.Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is on the ballot in Michigan and North Dakota. The North Dakota initiative, Measure 3, would also expunge marijuana convictions from criminal records; the Michigan initiative, Proposal 1, would not.
Medical marijuana is on the ballot in Utah and Missouri. Missouri has three separate initiatives that would legalize medical marijuana: Amendment 2, Amendment 3 and Proposition C.Medical marijuana is on the ballot in Utah and Missouri. Missouri has three separate initiatives that would legalize medical marijuana: Amendment 2, Amendment 3 and Proposition C.
In Washington State, voters will weigh in on Initiative 1631, which would charge companies and utilities that burn fossil fuels $15 for each ton of gases they produce (the penalty would rise over time). It is one of several ballot measures across the country that aim to fight climate change, including a statewide fracking ban in Colorado and renewable energy requirements in Arizona and Nevada.In Washington State, voters will weigh in on Initiative 1631, which would charge companies and utilities that burn fossil fuels $15 for each ton of gases they produce (the penalty would rise over time). It is one of several ballot measures across the country that aim to fight climate change, including a statewide fracking ban in Colorado and renewable energy requirements in Arizona and Nevada.
A ballot initiative in Massachusetts, Question 3, will ask voters if they want a landmark 2016 transgender rights law to remain on the books. The law, which was passed by the Democratic legislature and signed by the Republican governor, prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public places, like bathrooms. Question 3 is the first-ever attempt to undo a transgender rights law at the ballot box.A ballot initiative in Massachusetts, Question 3, will ask voters if they want a landmark 2016 transgender rights law to remain on the books. The law, which was passed by the Democratic legislature and signed by the Republican governor, prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public places, like bathrooms. Question 3 is the first-ever attempt to undo a transgender rights law at the ballot box.
In Washington and Oregon, voters will decide on measures to prohibit local taxes on food sales. Companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have backed those initiatives as a way to combat taxes on sugary drinks like soda, which are an increasingly popular public health tool.In Washington and Oregon, voters will decide on measures to prohibit local taxes on food sales. Companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have backed those initiatives as a way to combat taxes on sugary drinks like soda, which are an increasingly popular public health tool.
A number of ballot initiatives will also address thorny health care issues, including measures that would expand Medicaid in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, and one in Montana that would revoke Medicaid expansion for low-income childless adults.A number of ballot initiatives will also address thorny health care issues, including measures that would expand Medicaid in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, and one in Montana that would revoke Medicaid expansion for low-income childless adults.
Voters in West Virginia and Alabama will decide on constitutional amendments that would specify that there is no guaranteed right to abortion in those states. The proposals would not ban abortion if they were to pass, but that could change if Roe v. Wade were someday overturned.Voters in West Virginia and Alabama will decide on constitutional amendments that would specify that there is no guaranteed right to abortion in those states. The proposals would not ban abortion if they were to pass, but that could change if Roe v. Wade were someday overturned.
— Liam Stack— Liam Stack
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — After two years of intractable political fights, with sanity and humanity seemingly on pause, Debbie Eschbacher’s motivation to vote was really pretty simple: “The fact that I don’t like liberals yelling at people anymore.”CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — After two years of intractable political fights, with sanity and humanity seemingly on pause, Debbie Eschbacher’s motivation to vote was really pretty simple: “The fact that I don’t like liberals yelling at people anymore.”
So was Jay Kim’s: “Our current president’s tactics are dividing the country. It is time for someone to check and balance power.”So was Jay Kim’s: “Our current president’s tactics are dividing the country. It is time for someone to check and balance power.”
The two 57-year-old political independents walked into the same early childhood center in this mostly affluent, mostly white St. Louis suburb a few minutes apart early Tuesday morning. Ms. Eschbacher, who works in sales, supported Josh Hawley, the Republican championed by President Trump in this exceedingly tight Senate race. Mr. Kim, a lawyer, backed Senator Claire McCaskill, the incumbent Democrat trying to hold on for a third term.The two 57-year-old political independents walked into the same early childhood center in this mostly affluent, mostly white St. Louis suburb a few minutes apart early Tuesday morning. Ms. Eschbacher, who works in sales, supported Josh Hawley, the Republican championed by President Trump in this exceedingly tight Senate race. Mr. Kim, a lawyer, backed Senator Claire McCaskill, the incumbent Democrat trying to hold on for a third term.
“I’ve been waiting for literally two years for this time,” Mr. Kim said with resignation. He said he remained “dumbfounded” by Mr. Trump and his party.“I’ve been waiting for literally two years for this time,” Mr. Kim said with resignation. He said he remained “dumbfounded” by Mr. Trump and his party.
Ms. Eschbacher pulled out of her pocket a worn voting sticker from 2016 — a talisman of sorts she hoped would help complete the shake-up started then.Ms. Eschbacher pulled out of her pocket a worn voting sticker from 2016 — a talisman of sorts she hoped would help complete the shake-up started then.
“The liberals think they are right, but they are wrong and we are going to prove that today,” she said with a laugh.“The liberals think they are right, but they are wrong and we are going to prove that today,” she said with a laugh.
— Nicholas Fandos— Nicholas Fandos
After former Vice President Joe Biden cast his ballot in Wilmington, Del., Tuesday morning, he stopped to chat with reporters and offer a few electoral predictions.After former Vice President Joe Biden cast his ballot in Wilmington, Del., Tuesday morning, he stopped to chat with reporters and offer a few electoral predictions.
Mr. Biden said he’d be shocked if Democrats lost the House, that he expected his party to pick up several governorships and that it had a chance of winning the Senate.Mr. Biden said he’d be shocked if Democrats lost the House, that he expected his party to pick up several governorships and that it had a chance of winning the Senate.
But whatever the outcome, he didn’t expect the results to influence President Trump.But whatever the outcome, he didn’t expect the results to influence President Trump.
“I’ve never seen him learn a lesson. I’m not being facetious,” he said. “I don’t think he learns lessons.”“I’ve never seen him learn a lesson. I’m not being facetious,” he said. “I don’t think he learns lessons.”
Mr. Biden has been an active presence on the campaign trail, as he considers whether to challenge Mr. Trump in 2020. He told reporters that plans to watch the results tonight like much of the country: At home, with his family, on a big screen T.V.Mr. Biden has been an active presence on the campaign trail, as he considers whether to challenge Mr. Trump in 2020. He told reporters that plans to watch the results tonight like much of the country: At home, with his family, on a big screen T.V.
— Lisa Lerer— Lisa Lerer
OREM, Utah — After dark on Monday night, Representative Mia Love strode across a campaign office in pink pants and cheetah-print heels.OREM, Utah — After dark on Monday night, Representative Mia Love strode across a campaign office in pink pants and cheetah-print heels.
Around her, an army of young volunteers speed-dialed voters.Around her, an army of young volunteers speed-dialed voters.
“I can’t wait to put all of this behind us,” said Ms. Love, who as the only black Republican woman in Congress — and as the child of Haitian immigrants — has had to navigate tricky terrain in the Trump era.“I can’t wait to put all of this behind us,” said Ms. Love, who as the only black Republican woman in Congress — and as the child of Haitian immigrants — has had to navigate tricky terrain in the Trump era.
It’s been a challenging few months for the congresswoman, who represents the Republican-leaning suburbs south of Salt Lake City. She faces a challenge from Ben McAdams, a popular local mayor and a Democrat who has tried to tie her to Mr. Trump. While the state is heavily Republican, it is also heavily Mormon, and the president’s crass words have turned many conservatives against him.It’s been a challenging few months for the congresswoman, who represents the Republican-leaning suburbs south of Salt Lake City. She faces a challenge from Ben McAdams, a popular local mayor and a Democrat who has tried to tie her to Mr. Trump. While the state is heavily Republican, it is also heavily Mormon, and the president’s crass words have turned many conservatives against him.
At the same time, Mr. Trump has begun saying he will nullify birthright citizenship — the very constitutional guarantee that makes Ms. Love an American.At the same time, Mr. Trump has begun saying he will nullify birthright citizenship — the very constitutional guarantee that makes Ms. Love an American.
“I’m a daughter of immigrants,” she said, pulling up a chair. “Saying that means I wouldn’t be a U.S. citizen. I was born in New York, both my parents were born in Haiti, they immigrated legally, they went through the process, they worked hard. These are the types of things that you sit there and you have to call him out on it and say: Look, this is not who we are.”“I’m a daughter of immigrants,” she said, pulling up a chair. “Saying that means I wouldn’t be a U.S. citizen. I was born in New York, both my parents were born in Haiti, they immigrated legally, they went through the process, they worked hard. These are the types of things that you sit there and you have to call him out on it and say: Look, this is not who we are.”
Ms. Love has tried to combat attacks from both sides by speaking out against the president.Ms. Love has tried to combat attacks from both sides by speaking out against the president.
Soon, she’ll learn if she did enough.Soon, she’ll learn if she did enough.
In Orem, she recognized the race could come down to just a few hundred votes, and that she might not know the result by the end of Tuesday night. “There’s a very good chance that ours will be close,” she said, “that it will not be called.”In Orem, she recognized the race could come down to just a few hundred votes, and that she might not know the result by the end of Tuesday night. “There’s a very good chance that ours will be close,” she said, “that it will not be called.”
— Julie Turkewitz— Julie Turkewitz