US midterm elections 2026: turnout surges in vote that will define final years of Trump presidency - live

Key Points:

• Voters across Minneapolis left "I Voted" stickers at memorials for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens killed by federal immigration officials during a Trump-era enforcement operation, symbolizing a protest against immigration policies and honoring the victims.
• In Anchorage, Alaska, diverse voters expressed contrasting views: Vietnam veteran Rita Forbes supported Republicans despite opposing some GOP policies on women in combat, while others like Michael Comer and Tenesha Williams voted Democratic, citing concerns over LGBTQ+ rights and immigrant fears.
• The US Department of Justice deployed an unprecedented number of election monitors nationwide amid legal disputes with the Trump administration over contested ballots in California, a move seen by some as intimidation.
• Technical issues disrupted voting in several Mississippi counties, including machine outages and ballot shortages, causing delays and long lines; local activists accused Republicans of systemic voter suppression tactics.
• Early voting enthusiasm was notable among young voters and college students in New Hampshire and Kansas, with grassroots efforts providing rides to polls and highlighting issues like anti-trans legislation, economic pressures, and immigration policies influencing voter choices.