https://news.ketelle.co.uk/storylines/2026-us-midterm-elections-race-dynamics-and-polling 2026 US midterm elections covering race dynamics, polling, voter fraud allegations, DOJ investigations, and electoral disputes. en-gb https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-opens-criminal-probe-of-california-noncitizen-voting-subpoenas-ele https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-opens-criminal-probe-of-california-noncitizen-voting-subpoenas-ele Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:42:11 +0000 US The Justice Department has issued federal grand jury subpoenas to California election officials in a criminal investigation of alleged noncitizen voting, days before the midterms. Los Angeles County's registrar called the move intimidation. (9 outlets: 4 left · 0 centre · 5 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/nyt-reports-peltola-campaign-recruited-candidates-to-hurt-sullivan-byr https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/nyt-reports-peltola-campaign-recruited-candidates-to-hurt-sullivan-byr Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:01:15 +0000 US A New York Times report says aides to Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola helped recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to dilute Sen. Dan Sullivan's vote. Peltola's campaign and the DSCC deny involvement; commentators in right-leaning outlets disagree on its political and legal weight. (12 outlets: 3 left · 2 centre · 7 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/federal-prosecutors-allege-405-non-citizens-cast-over-1-500-ballots-in https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/federal-prosecutors-allege-405-non-citizens-cast-over-1-500-ballots-in Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:22:36 +0000 US Federal prosecutors in Washington state say they have identified over 400 people they believe are non-citizens who voted, casting about 1,500 ballots, and have asked the state to set those ballots aside. The claims are Justice Department allegations, reported only by right-leaning outlets; the Secretary of State's office says such fraud is rare. (4 outlets: 0 left · 0 centre · 4 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-asks-washington-state-to-set-aside-400-ballots-from-suspected-nonc https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-asks-washington-state-to-set-aside-400-ballots-from-suspected-nonc Tue, 27 Oct 2026 19:11:00 +0000 US The Justice Department asked Washington state on Oct. 26 to set aside any ballots cast by more than 400 registrants it suspects are noncitizens. The state's top election official is reviewing the request and criticised its timing and process. (9 outlets: 5 left · 2 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/appeals-court-rejects-doj-bid-to-force-california-to-set-aside-ballots https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/appeals-court-rejects-doj-bid-to-force-california-to-set-aside-ballots Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:42:46 +0000 US A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 on Monday against the Justice Department's effort to make California set aside ballots from voters the administration suspects are noncitizens, and on Friday the same panel again rejected the request, after a district judge also refused it. California's election is Nov 3. (11 outlets: 6 left · 0 centre · 5 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/judge-rules-maurene-comey-s-firing-unlawful-and-reinstates-her https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/judge-rules-maurene-comey-s-firing-unlawful-and-reinstates-her Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:40:25 +0000 US U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that the Justice Department unlawfully fired prosecutor Maurene Comey, daughter of ex-FBI Director James Comey, in July 2025, and ordered retroactive reinstatement with backpay. (19 outlets: 7 left · 6 centre · 6 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-charges-48-noncitizens-with-federal-voting-crimes-across-five-stat https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-charges-48-noncitizens-with-federal-voting-crimes-across-five-stat Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:12:20 +0000 US The Justice Department announced federal charges against 48 non-citizens in California, Florida, Nevada, New York and Pennsylvania over illegal voting and false registration. Twenty-eight of the defendants are in California, where the DOJ is also in a court fight with the state over about 20,000 voters it says are noncitizens. (5 outlets: 1 left · 2 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/observers-plan-large-presence-at-polling-places-for-us-midterm-electio https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/observers-plan-large-presence-at-polling-places-for-us-midterm-electio Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:00:42 +0000 US Ahead of the US midterms, Democratic-aligned groups, the Justice Department, the Republican National Committee and House Republicans are each planning large observer efforts at polls and ballot counts. Coverage differs on whether the main concern is federal interference or election integrity and legal readiness. (13 outlets: 6 left · 4 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/us-appeals-court-hears-trump-administration-lawsuit-over-california-vo https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/us-appeals-court-hears-trump-administration-lawsuit-over-california-vo Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:12:24 +0000 US A three-judge 9th Circuit panel heard a rare Sunday argument on the Justice Department's suit to force California to set aside mail-in ballots it says went to likely non-citizens. Judge Mark Bennett, a Trump appointee, voiced doubts. (6 outlets: 4 left · 0 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/justice-department-asks-appeals-court-to-block-count-of-20-000-califor https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/justice-department-asks-appeals-court-to-block-count-of-20-000-califor Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:22:34 +0000 US A Ninth Circuit panel heard the Justice Department's emergency request on 25 October to make California set aside about 20,000 ballots linked to suspected noncitizens. The judges questioned their own authority and the federal data, and had not ruled. (4 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-sues-alaska-to-block-midterm-certification-over-two-dan-sullivans- https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/doj-sues-alaska-to-block-midterm-certification-over-two-dan-sullivans- Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:12:32 +0000 US The Justice Department sued Alaska election officials to stop certification of the Senate race if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing voter confusion over a second "Dan Sullivan" on the ballot. Attorney General Todd Blanche defends it as a ballot-preservation step; critics call it election interference. (26 outlets: 9 left · 7 centre · 10 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/senate-leadership-fund-pauses-north-carolina-spending-shifts-money-to- https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/senate-leadership-fund-pauses-north-carolina-spending-shifts-money-to- Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:25:23 +0100 Politics The Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund is halting new ad spending in North Carolina's Senate race and putting money into Kansas, first reported by Semafor. NBC News and the New York Post differ in how they frame the move and in the dollar figures they give. (7 outlets: 3 left · 0 centre · 4 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/house-majority-pac-raises-230-million-in-third-quarter https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/house-majority-pac-raises-230-million-in-third-quarter Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:51:05 +0100 US House Majority PAC and House Majority Forward say they raised a combined $230 million in the third quarter of 2026, their best quarter ever. Left and right outlets agree on the figure but frame what it means differently. (2 outlets: 1 left · 0 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/chuck-schumer-declares-candidacy-for-sixth-term-as-senate-democratic-l https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/chuck-schumer-declares-candidacy-for-sixth-term-as-senate-democratic-l Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:21:06 +0100 Politics Sen. Chuck Schumer told Politico and Punchbowl News he is running for Democratic leader again, whatever the midterm result, while four Democratic Senate nominees say they would not back him. (3 outlets: 0 left · 0 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/kansas-senate-race-tightens-as-democrat-adam-hamilton-challenges-repub https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/kansas-senate-race-tightens-as-democrat-adam-hamilton-challenges-repub Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:41:33 +0100 Politics Polls show a near-tie in Kansas between Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor and former Republican, as fuel prices, beef imports and Trump's unpopularity weigh on Republicans. (5 outlets: 2 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/trump-says-he-has-done-bad-job-explaining-economic-record-before-midte https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/trump-says-he-has-done-bad-job-explaining-economic-record-before-midte Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:42:34 +0100 US At a White House event on 30 September, Trump said he has explained his economic record poorly while insisting the economy is doing well. Coverage differs on whether this signals voter anger and Republican alarm before the 3 November midterms. (7 outlets: 2 left · 2 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/senate-democrats-block-bill-restricting-congressional-stock-trades https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/senate-democrats-block-bill-restricting-congressional-stock-trades Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:32:28 +0100 Politics The Senate failed, 53-47, to reach the 60 votes needed to advance the Stop Insider Trading Act, which restricts stock trading by lawmakers and includes a voter ID provision. Democrats called the bill too weak and the ID language a poison pill. (6 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 4 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/hispanic-voters-on-texas-border-turn-against-trump-ahead-of-november https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/hispanic-voters-on-texas-border-turn-against-trump-ahead-of-november Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:51:36 +0100 Politics A New York Times report, relayed by Raw Story, finds many Hispanic voters in South Texas who backed Trump in 2024 are now angry over immigration enforcement and the economy, complicating Republican prospects in November. (2 outlets: 2 left · 0 centre · 0 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/sabato-s-crystal-ball-shifts-11-house-races-toward-democrats https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/sabato-s-crystal-ball-shifts-11-house-races-toward-democrats Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:34:10 +0100 Politics The University of Virginia forecaster shifted 11 House ratings toward Democrats on 29 September, including Republican-held seats in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Coverage agrees on the shifts but differs in emphasis, with one outlet stressing a bleak GOP outlook and the other the limits of the ratings. (2 outlets: 0 left · 1 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/us-consumer-confidence-falls-to-lowest-since-2014-conference-board-say https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/us-consumer-confidence-falls-to-lowest-since-2014-conference-board-say Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:41:54 +0100 Economy The Conference Board's September index fell 6.7 points to 81.9, its lowest since 2014, as fuel and goods prices rose ahead of the midterm elections. (3 outlets: 1 left · 2 centre · 0 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/democrats-prospects-of-retaking-the-senate-in-november-elections https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/democrats-prospects-of-retaking-the-senate-in-november-elections Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:35:34 +0100 Politics Democrats are optimistic about flipping the Senate on Nov. 3, helped by Trump's low approval. Newsweek warns polls have underestimated Republicans before; a Hill opinion piece projects a Democratic takeover. (15 outlets: 7 left · 2 centre · 6 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/republicans-urged-to-focus-midterm-messaging-on-cost-of-living https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/republicans-urged-to-focus-midterm-messaging-on-cost-of-living Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:20:42 +0100 Politics With the Senate about to leave to campaign, several Republican senators say the party has not done enough on prices, while a Washington Examiner columnist says candidates should highlight existing cost-of-living measures. (2 outlets: 0 left · 0 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/trump-midterm-campaign-swing-and-gop-prospects https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/trump-midterm-campaign-swing-and-gop-prospects Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:05:11 +0100 US Trump began a 32-day campaign push on 1 October, starting with Texas and Oklahoma, while polls and reports of White House pessimism point to a hard midterm for Republicans. Outlets differ on whether the tour shows strength or concern. (32 outlets: 11 left · 8 centre · 13 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/polls-after-trump-s-midterm-convention-show-democratic-boost https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/polls-after-trump-s-midterm-convention-show-democratic-boost Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:33:20 +0100 US Weeks after the Republican Party's two-day midterm convention in Texas, generic-ballot averages show Democrats' lead widening. Both a left-leaning and a right-leaning outlet say the event backfired for Republicans. (3 outlets: 1 left · 0 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/republicans-weigh-appearing-with-trump-amid-his-poor-public-standing https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/republicans-weigh-appearing-with-trump-amid-his-poor-public-standing Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:30:49 +0100 Politics Coverage says Republican candidates are weighing whether to appear with President Trump as his public standing drops before the midterms. The New York Times reports five of nine Senate campaigns would not commit to joining him. (17 outlets: 8 left · 4 centre · 5 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/kansas-senate-candidate-adam-hamilton-urged-congregation-to-repent-of- https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/kansas-senate-candidate-adam-hamilton-urged-congregation-to-repent-of- Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:46:35 +0100 US Right-leaning outlets report that Fox News surfaced 2020 sermons by Democratic Senate nominee Adam Hamilton, including a call to repent of climate impact such as beef production. Hamilton's campaign says Republican Sen. Roger Marshall has made similar remarks himself. (2 outlets: 0 left · 0 centre · 2 right)