Midterm election cost sets record as lawmakers exit

Voters in the United States are casting ballots for the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday. The campaign cycle is the most expensive in the history of the country. A record number of sitting lawmakers have announced they will not seek reelection.

The high cost and the turnover on the ballot set the stage for Democrats to potentially regain control of Congress. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings sit at their lowest point in his term. His team is watching turnout closely, particularly in Senate races in Ohio, Kansas, and South Carolina. Polls in those states close earlier than in other parts of the country.

NPR correspondent Stephen Fowler noted that the president’s policies have affected the economy and shifted attention to states like Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, and Iowa. These states are key to deciding control of the House. Voters in these areas cited concerns about the war in Iran, rising gas prices, and corruption. They said they felt neglected by the administration’s focus on large-scale events. Both parties have poured heavy resources into numerous House districts. Republicans asked for two more years to fix problems, while Democrats argued they had already waited too long.

President Trump spoke to supporters yesterday. He said a portion of his base could deliver a landslide victory if they voted. He used past tense in his remarks, a departure from his usual style. He acknowledged the challenges facing the party. His team will monitor Republican turnout to gauge the strength of the night’s results. A strong showing in South Carolina or Florida could ease concerns for Republicans. A close race in either state would signal a tough night for the party.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last-minute request from the Department of Justice to intervene in a dispute with California over voter rolls. The Justice Department wanted to stop California from processing ballots for individuals identified as likely noncitizens. The court’s decision allows the state to continue its process ahead of the vote.

In Iran, the government is using the U.S. election as pressure to push Washington back to negotiations. The Associated Press reported that U.S. forces conducted defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz last night. The strikes included Qeshm Island, a key launch point for Iranian attacks. Iran reported explosions on the island. This pattern of strikes has happened several times in recent months. It coincides with increased Iranian attacks on shipping vessels in the strait.

Iranian officials said they prefer to return to talks. The country offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in two days if the United States re-engages. This is a shorter timeframe than the seven days proposed in September. Inflation in Iran is around 90%. Residents face difficult economic conditions and fears of bombings. Officials are urging millions of Iranians to conserve energy as winter approaches. They said the country’s natural gas networks are unstable due to war damage. Tehran hopes to wait out the U.S. election and see if the president’s party loses control of Congress.

A judge in Massachusetts is considering a motion to dismiss the case against Lindsay Clancy. Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan will announce his decision later this month. Clancy’s attorney asked the court to dismiss the case or order a new trial during a hearing yesterday. Clancy faces first-degree murder charges for the 2023 deaths of her three young children in their Duxbury home. The trial ended in a mistrial in September when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The Plymouth County district attorney’s office has not disclosed its next steps. It has not said whether it will seek a new trial or pursue lesser charges. In a recent motion, prosecutors stated they aim to pursue justice for Clancy’s children.