County election directors grapple with changes, turnout + rising prices squeeze voters ahead of midterms

By Sarah Michels

In the first eight days of early voting, Wake County Election Director Olivia McCall has seen 70% higher turnout than in the 2022 midterm election.

It’s “unprecedented,” she said. But it’s too early to tell whether the higher turnout foreshadows record-breaking overall turnout or excitement around early voting, she added.

That’s the story across the state. In Mecklenburg County, turnout is about 45% higher than at the same point in the 2022 election, according to Election Director Michael Dickerson. He said he expects Election Day voting to go down as a result.

By Kevin Hardy

Americans’ growing frustration over high prices has defined many political campaigns ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Rising costs of healthcare, gas and groceries during President Donald Trump’s second term have put Republicans on defense, not only in Washington, but in statehouse and gubernatorial races across the country.

As the political environment continues to sour for Republicans, a new analysis released by the Urban Institute on Monday underscores just how expensive everyday life has become in America: Gas and electricity prices are rising much faster than paychecks. Housing, childcare and healthcare are becoming a bigger strain for millions of people. 

By Jonathan Shorman

President Donald Trump’s 11th-hour campaign to intervene in California’s vote counting encountered its first resistance from federal courts on Monday, with appellate judges ruling against the effort.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against a U.S. Department of Justice request for a court order requiring California election officials to segregate and not count the ballots of some 20,000 voters, who federal officials say are suspected noncitizens, until those voters can prove otherwise. The decision, issued Monday, came after rare oral arguments on Sunday.

Why the new progressive Democrats in Congress might unite with the old Dems, for now | Jacob Fischler

‘We don’t want it’: Voter backlash against data centers consumes midterm elections | Ashley Murray

Federal regulators crack down on organ donation groups| Nada Hassanien

ICE agents arrested US citizen at gunpoint in Charlotte, NC immigration advocates say | Christine Zhu

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