Early voting for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections began on Friday in several states, initiating the final campaign phase for control of Congress. Virginia opened polls for in-person early voting, while Minnesota, South Dakota, and Idaho started offering in-person absentee voting ahead of the November 3 general election.
The start of voting follows a Supreme Court decision earlier in the week concerning mail-in ballot regulations. On Monday, the court declined to lift a lower court’s injunction, thereby blocking an administration plan to implement new federal rules for mail-in voting.
The plan originated from a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The order would have directed the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to require states to submit lists of eligible mail-in voters for federal approval and to use a standardized envelope design. Following the court’s decision, U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner told The Associated Press that work on the proposed system had stopped.
The election is taking place amid discussions of current economic conditions. According to a recent analysis by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. mortgage rates are approaching 7%, consumer prices increased by 3.4% in the year ending in August, and gas prices are near levels last seen in 2022.
Foreign policy is also a reported campaign topic, with attention on the conflict in Iran, which has now entered its seventh month. Aaron David Miller, who previously advised both Republican and Democratic administrations on Middle East policy, commented to Reuters on the situation. The White House has stated that President Trump is scheduled to address the United Nations next week, where he is expected to discuss the conflict.
In other government-related news, the State Department approved a potential sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. A department statement said the sale “will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats.” The New York Times reported that a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment had raised questions about securing the technology at Saudi military installations.
Separately, legal challenges involving federal institutions in Washington, D.C., are ongoing. Former board members of the U.S. Institute of Peace have filed an appeal to prevent President Trump’s name from being added to the organization’s headquarters. In a separate case, a federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before proceeding with major physical alterations to its building.
