21 Million Early Ballots Cast as U.S. Moves Third Carrier

American voters cast nearly 21 million ballots by mail or in person ahead of the November 3 midterms, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab. The total increased by approximately 2 million in a single day. Early turnout in key battleground states is higher than during the previous midterm cycle.

Simultaneously, the United States is deploying a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East. A person briefed on U.S. and Israeli war planning told NPR that the two countries are preparing for a potential attack on Iran after the American elections. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his country is ready for both diplomacy and war. Tehran demands formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. The U.S. and Israel possess the capacity for heavy damage, yet Iran has shown no sign of making major concessions.

President Trump is likely to weigh military action after the elections to avoid a jump in oil prices before voters go to the polls. Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans. Unaffiliated voters are also participating at elevated levels. Republicans generally tend to turn out on Election Day rather than in advance.

In California, a federal judge is restricting pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency aims to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. Separately, a federal magistrate judge ruled that Trump must sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. He must comply with court rules or face sanctions.

The lawsuit centers on a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024 that allegedly edited his January 6 speech. Trump has called the broadcast false, misleading, and defamatory under Florida law. BBC attorneys say more than 200 January 6 defendants stated the speech motivated them. The network seeks details on how Trump has profited since returning to the White House.

Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, up 85 percent in a decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Eggs fell to $2.27 per dozen after a record $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, down 17.3 percent from a year earlier due to oversupply. Coffee remains 44 percent higher than two years ago despite the removal of tariffs.