Sunday, November 1

Two days before the midterms, the White House and its critics clashed over whether slow vote counts are normal, and a federal judge dismissed a Justice Department suit over Alaska's Senate race. Reuters reported Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said two tankers hit mines in Hormuz. New polls showed Democrats leading battleground Senate races, and one found late deciders favoring Republicans.

1. 
   Voter rolls
   White House and critics clash over slow midterm counts

   The White House's rapid response account said it is not normal for midterm results to take time or for a trailing candidate to pull ahead overnight. Critics said the statement signals preparation to challenge results. CBS News contributor David Becker said on "Face the Nation" that the timing is part of the "normal process" of close elections.

   The question

   Is a trailing candidate taking the lead overnight a red flag?

   No, it's normalYes, a red flag
   Read the story ›
2. Senate races
   Judge dismisses Justice Department suit over Alaska Senate race

   A federal judge on Sunday dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska's Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, the Associated Press reported. The department plans to appeal. Separately, Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.

   The question

   Should Mary Peltola drop out over the namesake candidate report?

   She should stay inShe should drop out
   Read the story ›
3. Iran
   Iran reports tankers hit mines in Hormuz and warns of longer war

   Reuters reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said two oil tankers "exploded" after hitting mines in Hormuz. Iran also warned that a renewed war with the United States could be longer. The United Arab Emirates' Anwar Gargash said at a security forum in Bahrain that military solutions offer no quick off-ramps.

   The question

   Should the U.S. bomb Iran again if talks fail?

   No, too riskyYes, strike again
   Read the story ›
4. Midterm messaging
   Final polls show Democratic leads and a late-decider Republican edge

   Newsweek reported that Democrats led in all seven battleground Senate races in a new poll. Another poll, released Sunday night, found late deciders in key Senate races favoring Republicans by nine points, the Washington Examiner reported. Trump spoke for two hours at an Iowa rally Sunday, the Daily Beast reported.

   The question

   Should Congress place tighter checks on presidential power after the midterm elections?

   Keep current balanceTighter checks on president
   Read the story ›
5. Election monitors
   Election officials prepare for Justice Department monitors

   The Atlantic reported that election officials are suspicious of the Justice Department's plan to send 1,000 monitors to polling places nationwide. El Paso Matters reported county officials there have received no notice of monitors but are ready. Rep. Jamie Raskin said Trump has no constitutional role in state elections.

   The question

   Should federal monitors be allowed inside polling places?

   Keep them outsideAllow them inside
   Read the story ›

• Justice Department

  DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department referred a "large case" involving Rep. Ilhan Omar and others to the Justice Department; Omar denies wrongdoing.

• Russia and Ukraine

  Ukraine struck the Kstovo oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod region, the Wall Street Journal reported, ending a two-week pause in such attacks that followed U.S. pressure.

• Executive ethics

  Trump called a reported $50 million contract for Alina Habba from a convicted businessman's family "unacceptable," Mediaite reported, speaking at a Mar-a-Lago Halloween event.

• Brazil

  Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration did not help Flávio Bolsonaro leave Brazil; Trump said he can stay in the US "as long as he wants."

• Tariffs

  Canada's Mark Carney reported progress in trade talks with the US, and Trump talked up the "concept" of a deal that includes a pipeline.

• World organizations

  The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended after 35 years, the UN chief said.

15 stories closed across 12 threads. Each stays on its thread’s timeline and reopens if the reporting comes back.