Trump campaigns in South Carolina as early voting numbers climb across states

More than 42 million Americans have cast early ballots as of Thursday afternoon, according to data from the University of Florida Election Lab.

Campaign Trail

President Trump campaigned in South Carolina to support Republican nominee for governor Alan Wilson and Sen. Darline Graham, who faces Democrat Annie Andrews. Trump also spoke about the North Carolina Senate race, calling Republican nominee Michael Whatley the next senator while acknowledging polls show him trailing former governor Roy Cooper. Trump urged South Carolina supporters to pretend he is on the ballot to drive turnout. Meanwhile, Minneapolis officials announced a record 52,661 early and absentee ballots cast for a non-presidential election, marking an 80% increase over 2022 numbers.

New York and Alaska Races

Vice President JD Vance announced a visit to New York's 21st District, where President Trump endorsed Republican Anthony Constantino. A Siena University poll showed Democrat Blake Gendebien leading Constantino by four points. In the New York gubernatorial race, two polls showed Gov. Kathy Hochul holding a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, who dismissed the polls as voter suppression tactics. In Alaska, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the Department of Public Safety to investigate Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola's campaign over allegations involving a candidate sharing the name of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, a claim Peltola's campaign strongly denied.

New Hampshire Debate

New Hampshire Senate candidates Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu sparred in a Wednesday debate. Sununu, who was endorsed by Trump, criticized some Trump policies regarding tariffs and the Iran war while calling Maine Sen. Susan Collins a model Republican. Sununu accused Pappas of being overly partisan on inflation, while Pappas criticized Sununu for campaigning with figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Context

Early voting and mail-in ballots have become a major feature of American elections, allowing millions of citizens to cast their votes weeks before official election day. High-profile campaign rallies and regional debates in competitive districts often intensify in the final days before an election as candidates make their closing arguments to voters.