Polls show Democrats leading House races, but Senate remains in play

Democrats hold an 8-point advantage among likely voters on the generic congressional ballot, according to a new NPR, PBS News, and Marist poll. The data suggests the party is favored to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the race for the Senate remains a toss-up.

NPR correspondent Domenico Montanaro noted that while a Democratic loss in the House seems unlikely, patience will be required for final results. Winners in many races will not be clear by election night. This delay is expected in close contests where vote counting takes time.

The survey reveals deep financial anxiety among Americans. One in three respondents reported facing financial hardships. Four in 10 said their personal finances are worsening. For Democrats and independents, preserving democracy is a key issue. Among MAGA supporters, immigration ranks as the top concern.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating sits at 40 percent. This represents a slight improvement in his standing. Despite this, the president remains unpopular with the general electorate. The poll indicates that economic conditions are a major factor influencing voter choice.

Legal battles over voting procedures continue ahead of the election. A federal judge heard arguments today regarding the Trump administration's bid to force California to set aside ballots from alleged non-citizens. An appeals court rejected the administration's request to intervene last night.

Yesterday, Trump announced a $1 million reward for tips leading to voter fraud convictions. The White House states these efforts aim to secure elections. NPR's Eric McDaniel pointed out that credible evidence of fraud significant enough to alter U.S. election outcomes has never been found. Democrats and election officials are preparing for similar accusations.

Prediction market platform Polymarket has investigated dozens of bets related to the midterms. Shana Bautista, the company's head of global intelligence, confirmed these investigations are ongoing. The platform monitors activity to ensure market integrity as election day approaches.

In Israel, voters are casting ballots today in a high-stakes election. This is the first vote since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Voters will decide whether to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or replace him with Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot, a former military chief, promises more diplomacy. Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister, leads the far-right bloc.

NPR's Ruth Sherlock reported that high voter turnout is expected. Israelis abroad have flown home to participate. Some voters believe only Netanyahu can ensure security. Others want to vote him out due to perceived security failures. Those seeking change demand an investigation into the attacks, which Netanyahu has blocked. Results may be known by Wednesday morning, but final party negotiations could take days or weeks.

The Archdiocese of New York agreed to pay $800 million to settle claims from roughly 1,300 people. These individuals alleged sexual abuse by clergy and lay workers. Microsoft also sent memos to about 60,000 employees yesterday. The company offered voluntary buyouts to roughly one quarter of its workforce to reduce headcount.

Officials in Maryland and Virginia are creating kid-friendly recipes for invasive blue catfish. These recipes meet federal dietary requirements for school lunches. The initiative aims to address the threat posed by blue catfish to blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.