Election Day Watch: 42 Million Voted Early, Gas Prices at $4.26

Voters across the United States are facing a high-cost November ballot as inflation hits 3.7 percent and gas prices rise. A gallon of gas cost $4.26 last week, up from $3.05 a year ago. Diesel fuel, which impacts the cost of goods for trucking companies, reached $6.35 per gallon, up from $3.62. Home mortgage rates have climbed above 7 percent, increasing monthly payments for those with adjustable rates.

The University of Florida Election Lab reports that more than 42 million people have already voted early in person or by mail. This number is double the total from one week ago. More than 60 million people have requested mail-in ballots, though only one-third have returned them. In Ohio, only two-thirds of requested mail ballots have been sent back.

Most states will accept mail-in ballots for another week if they are postmarked by Election Day. Analysts expect it could take several days or a week to count all mail ballots. This timeline adds uncertainty to the final results of the 2026 midterm elections.

Political analyst Mark Curtis predicts Democrats will win U.S. Senate seats currently held by Republicans in North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska. He forecasts a 51-49 Democratic majority in the Senate and a net gain of 20 seats in the House. Curtis also expects Democrats to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in the House Judiciary Committee.

The Alaska U.S. Senate race has drawn national attention due to two candidates named Sullivan. Senator Daniel S. Sullivan, a Republican, faces a primary challenger named Daniel J. Sullivan. The New York Times reports that former Democratic campaign staff sought a second Daniel Sullivan to confuse voters. President Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate the matter, calling it voter fraud at the highest level. FBI agents have interviewed Daniel J. Sullivan.

In foreign policy, two U.S. diplomats told the Associated Press that President Trump is considering military strikes on Iran after the midterms. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X that Tehran continues to give diplomacy a chance. Separately, President Trump suggested a naval stopover in Cuba following any action in Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio potentially leading negotiations.

Inside the Justice Department, District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey was fired illegally. Her lawyers called the decision a victory for the rule of law. In a related matter, federal prosecutors submitted a formal information alleging former FBI Director James Comey leaked classified information. Comey, who has faced two prior prosecution attempts, said he remains innocent.

A federal grand jury declined to indict former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson. She previously testified about events at the White House on January 6, 2021. Some Republican lawmakers had accused her of lying during her congressional hearing, but the grand jury did not agree with that assessment.