Voting

USA Facts - When the House of Representatives flips, it’s usually during midterm elections. Of the 19 House majority shifts since the modern two-party system started, 15 were in midterm years. This includes four of the last five midterms.  

Roll Call -  Residents of D.C. observe election night like some other cities observe major sporting events. And after the Nationals failed to advance to the postseason this year and with the first playoff game for the Washington Spirit still a few days away, the midterms will be the main ticket in town.

“It’s usually standing room only every time. I don’t think it matters whether it’s presidential or midterms,” said Matt Weiss, who owns Capitol Hill’s Union Pub.

While the pub will also be showing the Washington Capitals play the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m., Weiss said the sound will be on for election results rather than hockey. He expects around 50 percent more business than a regular Tuesday, which is already a busy night with weekly trivia.   

Center for American Voting -   It’s finally Election Day, but it’s worth remembering that nearly 58 million people have voted already—that’s compared to 46 million in 2022, and it’s a midterm record.

New Republic- President Donald Trump’s attempt to mess with California’s elections has been shot down by the Supreme Court. In a one-sentence rejection with no explanation, the court ruled on Monday evening against the Trump administration’s emergency request that California separate 20,000 ballots that the White House claims were cast by noncitizens. There do not appear to have been any dissents.

Election officials in California and Los Angeles County said that the administration’s list was unreliable, pointing to their own findings that many on the list were actually U.S.-born citizens. The Trump administration even admitted that the list contained inaccuracies but still insisted that California comply with its demands. Late last month, the DOJ sued to force California to separate those 20,000 ballots. Last week, U.S. District Judge David Carter issued a blistering ruling castigating the White House for acting like a monarchy.

District Line Daily - The FBI has “directed all employees stationed in D.C. to avoid polling locations,” according to the Washington Sun. “Agent personnel were advised that the only exception to that prohibition is if there is an active shooter at a particular polling location,” per the FBI’s statement. But across the country, the Department of Justice plans to send about 1,000 election monitors to polls, which Axios says is “far more than in previous elections.” Expect monitors in Prince George’s County and Fairfax County. [Washington Sun, Axios]