Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk attends a press briefing held by President Trump with AI executives following a meeting on artificial intelligence, outside the West Wing of the White House on Sept. 29 Finn Gomez/Getty Images hide caption
October 19, 2026 • Democratic candidates are on offense with fundraising, and Republican super PACs continue to play defense heading into the final weeks of the midterm.
Election workers process ballots for the California state primary at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center on June 5. California's relatively slow vote count has put "a big target on its back," one expert told NPR. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
October 19, 2026 • Hint: It's not only because California counts slowly.
Sam Forstag poses for a portrait on a ranch outside of Drummond, Montana on October 7, 2026. A former U.S. Forest Service smokejumper, Forstag is trying to flip a House seat in the state's 1st congressional district. Tailyr Irvine for NPR hide caption
October 19, 2026 • In parts of the Great Plains and Midwest, Democrats are betting that harnessing anger at corporate power and both parties might succeed when voters believe the economy and government are not working.
October 22, 2026 • President Trump, seeking to reshape the voting map, prompted a rare wave of mid-decade redistricting that gave Republicans a boost for holding the House. But the voters will determine if it works.
In this file photo from 2023, U.S. and Israeli flags fill a field in Boston, Massachusetts. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
October 21, 2026 • The pro-Israel lobbying group and influential political funder announced it would no longer endorse candidates or give directly to campaigns. AIPAC's affiliated super PAC, though, will continue.
People walk by a polling place at Denver's Central Library on June 30, 2026. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images hide caption
October 21, 2026 • The department has long deployed election monitors, but the Trump administration's unprecedented steps to try to wrestle control over elections have led to new concerns about DOJ monitoring this year.
In this file photo from July 2026, President Trump shows off an executive order he signed in the Oval Office of the White House. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption
October 21, 2026 • A new poll shows record support for Democratic congressional candidates ahead of the midterms, as voters feel the party is better attuned to handling their top issues.
President Trump walks to board Air Force One on Oct. 20 at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption
October 21, 2026 • The top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees said they are working under the presumption that the president will seek to justify election interference by alleging fraud.
People vote at a polling location at the Metro Headquarters Building in Los Angeles during California's state primary election on June 2, 2026. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
October 20, 2026 • Election officials in Los Angeles County say their preliminary analysis of the federal government's list of 20,000 "likely" noncitizens registered to vote in California shows the list is "unreliable."
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes during a press conference at the Arizona Attorney General's office on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Phoenix Matthew Marengo/Cronkite News hide caption
October 20, 2026 • Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is threatening to sue Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap if he doesn't restore voting rights to 24 U.S. citizens who were previously flagged using a controversial — and unreliable — federal citizenship verification database.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton speaks during a campaign event at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption
October 20, 2026 • An attack ad shared on social media of a woman claiming to be Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, says Acton lied about being homeless growing up.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., embraces Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms at a campaign event Oct. 17 in Marietta, Ga. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images hide caption
October 20, 2026 • From doorsteps to a used book sale, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with voters in suburban Atlanta about why some of them want change now while others are willing to give Republicans more time.
President Donald Trump speaking to the crowd near Wichita. Roger Nomer/Kansas News Service hide caption
October 19, 2026 • Trump worked to boost Sen. Roger Marshall's reelection as the incumbent faces a close race with Democrat Adam Hamilton.
People vote in Norwalk, Calif., during early voting in California's primary election on June 1, 2026. The Department of Justice has charged 28 green card holders in the state for allegedly illegally registering to vote or voting in U.S. elections, in an escalation of a feud with California officials over the state's voting system. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
October 19, 2026 • The DOJ also filed an emergency request in federal court to stop California from processing ballots returned by people on the voter rolls the federal government says are "likely noncitizens."
Abdul El-Sayed campaigns in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Russ McNamara/MPRN hide caption
October 19, 2026 • More than 500 people showed up to support the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. It was the first stop on a three-event day that culminated in a 1,200 person rally in Marquette that evening.
Stephen Kalb knows how to replace a bad bearing on a combine, but he's frustrated with how poorly the government is running. Frank Morris/KCUR hide caption
October 19, 2026 • Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican in a solidly GOP state, is locked in a close reelection bid in part because of his support for President Donald Trump's trade wars, tariffs and war with Iran. The race is a toss-up and could go to Democrat Adam Hamilton.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., looks on during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2026. Salazar has warned that President Trump's immigration policies could be driving Latino voters away from the GOP. Heather Diehl/Getty Images hide caption
October 18, 2026 • Rep. María Elvira Salazar filmed an ad warning the president that he's "gone too far" on immigration. It reflected concern among some Republicans that their gains with Latino voters could be at risk.
The nine winning designs in Michigan's 2026 "I Voted" sticker contest. Michigan Department of State hide caption
October 17, 2026 • In-person voters can choose their favorite — if they hurry. Clerks expect a high demand from now through Nov. 3.
President Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Ariz., on Oct. 14. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
October 17, 2026 • President Trump's midterm travel blitz ahead of Election Day includes several red states he won easily 2 years ago, showing the electoral landscape is more challenging for Republicans.
Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson at Maine Public's Your Vote 2026 debate at the Gracie Theater in Bangor on Oct. 15, 2026. Rebecca Conley/Maine Public hide caption
October 16, 2026 • The debate featured lots of talk about Donald Trump, disparate views on the state of American democracy and a moment when Jackson told Collins to "shut up."
President Trump speaks at a campaign rally in San Antonio on Oct. 7. Trump made big inroads with young voters in 2024, but some of that support appears to be waning. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
October 16, 2026 • A focus group of eight Gen Z Trump voters reported feeling unhappy or disappointed with the state of politics, with some going as far as to say they regret supporting him in 2024.
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Democrat, and Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall appear on the debate stage on Sept. 12, 2026, at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector hide caption
October 16, 2026 • Kansas' U.S. Senate race has attracted national headlines and money. But what about the topics voters care about? Here's what Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton say about affordability, healthcare, statewide and national issues.
Democrat Mary Peltola (left) and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan participated in Debate for the State at Alaska Public Media's studio on Oct. 15, 2026. Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media hide caption
October 16, 2026 • The night was tense before the debate even started, with dozens of both candidates' supporters waving signs and chanting outside the Alaska Public Media studio.
Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings sent to election officials and congressional offices in multiple states. Above, a USPS mail collection box in Pasadena, Calif. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption
October 15, 2026 • The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are looking into the mailings, some of which included an unidentified powdery white substance.
