MORNING LINEUP
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks at a campaign rally on October 28, 2026 in Kinston, North Carolina. Vance is in to North Carolina to campaign for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross-Pool/Getty Images)
By Christine Zhu
With less than a week until Election Day, and with Republicans lagging other groups in early voting, Vice President JD Vance rallied in North Carolina Wednesday to help get out the vote.
Around 2 million North Carolinians have cast their ballots so far during early voting, and while all political affiliations are voting at numbers greater than during the last midterm election in 2022, the growth in Democratic and unaffiliated early voting is far outpacing the GOP’s.
A voting sign at Chavis Community Center in Raleigh on Oct. 20, 2026. (Photo: Christine Zhu/NC Newsline)
By Lynn Bonner
U.S. Department of Justice election monitors will be in Wake, Alamance, and Mecklenburg counties on Election Day, according to the state Board of Elections.
The Justice Department announced it would send monitors to every state as part of the largest monitoring effort in history, but did not disclose locations.
The DOJ has sent election monitors to North Carolina in previous elections. This fall’s expansive nationwide effort has Democrats, some Republicans, and voting rights advocates wary because it comes as President Donald Trump attempts to influence elections, States Newsroom has reported.
Paul Barringer, the Democratic nominee running for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, poses with his dogs, Billy and Penny, at an early voting site in Clayton on Oct. 27, 2026. (Photo: Christine Zhu/NC Newsline)
By Christine Zhu
State lawmakers redrew the 13th in 2023 to heavily favor a Republican. It was expected to be a safe GOP seat this year: Trump won it in 2024 by 17 points.
However, Democrats have recently come to believe that the wave of voter sentiment against Republicans this year might open the door to a possible flip. Barringer started airing TV ads shortly before early voting started. Knott, who had not run ads this cycle, either, quickly followed suit.
MORE NEWSLINE
Told her baby wouldn’t survive, she had to leave Idaho for an abortion. She’s sharing her story. | Kelcie Moseley-Morris
MORE HEADLINES
NEWS
The Storm Wrecked Their Bridges. ‘All That Red Tape’ Left Them Stranded. (gift article) | New York Times
Republicans emphasize transgender ads, putting cultural issues over voters’ economic anxiety | APnews.com
Earls, Stevens face off for NC Supreme Court seat with dueling visions for the bench | WRAL.com
Raleigh addiction recovery program to open apartments for mothers and children | NC Health News
Trump approves allowing Bolsonaro and family to stay in US | APnews.com
An illegitimate state legislature? Court revisits case that would overturn NC amendments | WRAL.com
Race in redrawn NC district is breaking national spending records, ranking says 🔐 | Raleigh News & Observer
Illegal 200-gallon moonshine distillery causes explosion, fire in North Carolina| WLOS.com
Trump super PAC cancels more than $1 million in ads supporting Balkcom | Asheville Watchdog
Mixed results for NC farmers in 2026 | Carolina Public Press
COMMENTARY
‘Unusual territory’: Democrats flipping the NC House isn’t out of the question | Raleigh News & Observer
47 states allow early voting for all — what about the other three? | The Hill
Gerrymandering attempt may backfire on Republicans | Asheville Watchdog
America's poll-obsessed media is failing midterm voters | USA Today
Thanks for reading Newsline Today, Morning Lineup. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.