Justice Dept. election monitors overwhelmingly deployed to Democratic locales

Key Points:

• The Trump administration requested a federal judge dismiss lawsuits from D.C. and Virginia aimed at blocking President Trump's planned 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing alleged harms like traffic disruptions are speculative and the Height Act does not apply to federal projects.
• Alaska voters are choosing among candidates in a key Senate race with a ranked-choice voting system that could delay an unofficial winner for over two weeks, amid accusations of voter confusion tactics and ongoing legal challenges regarding certification.
• For the first time in three years, the median U.S. home price has slightly declined, attributed mainly to high mortgage rates above 7 percent that reduce buyer demand, though housing markets remain uneven with some cities seeing price increases and others declines.
• Pollsters have adjusted methods after past inaccuracies by increasing outreach to underrepresented partisan groups and weighting polls by past presidential votes; Tuesday's midterm elections will test the effectiveness of these changes amid persistent differential response rates.
• The College Football Playoff will release its first rankings of the season on Election Day, a scheduling coincidence that previously reduced viewership but is not a concern for organizers; this season features only three undefeated teams and potential changes to the playoff format are being considered.