President Trump plans weekend rallies in Iowa and Kansas

President Trump will travel to Iowa and Kansas on Sunday to hold in-person rallies after receiving calls from both states regarding important races. Mr. Trump spoke in the Oval Office with Stephen Hubbard, an American recently freed from a Russian prison, and explained that friends and state officials convinced him that physical events would be better than tele-rallies. He held a rally in South Carolina for Darlene Graham.

Alaska Senate Race

Independent Senate candidate Daniel J. Sullivan left Petersburg, Alaska, earlier this week on a flight to Anchorage. Multiple sources confirmed his departure to CBS News ahead of reports that Democratic campaign operatives recruited him. Residents stated they never saw campaign materials or a platform from Sullivan, whom fisherman Andrew Worhatch called a non-serious candidate.

California Ballots

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Justice Department's request to set aside disputed ballots in California. The 2-1 ruling prevents the Trump administration from forcing the state to segregate ballots belonging to roughly 20,000 potential noncitizens. A lower court warned that separating these ballots could cause catastrophic system-wide problems and disenfranchise legal voters.

Voter Roll Lawsuit

The Justice Department told a federal judge that federal agencies contacted election officials in five states regarding potentially ineligible voters. In a filing overseen by Judge James Boasberg, the government confirmed sending letters to California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington. Democratic groups and leaders filed the lawsuit on October 20 over administration pressure to remove voters.

Maine Campaign

Senator Susan Collins attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new childcare and recreation facility in Greenville, Maine. Collins stated she secured more than 1.5 million dollars in federal funding for the project, which will serve over 60 children.

New York Campaigns

Democratic Socialists of America candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez are running in safely Democratic New York City congressional districts 7 and 13. Avila Chevalier noted that early voting is underway for the November 3 election.

Context

Federal elections involve a complex mix of state-run voting procedures and federal oversight laws. Courts frequently hear disputes over voter roll maintenance and ballot processing as the election approaches.