NEWS AND OPINION:
Election Day is finally here, the polls are open and the news media is in frantic mode. There’s a little serenity around, though. Millions of Americans already have cast their votes early by mail or in person — and likely glad that they did.
So how many of these early bird votes are we talking about here?
Here are the national statistics for this trend from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, which compiled these numbers from current in-person and returned mail-in votes, according to their written report. As of 3:57 p.m. on Monday, the total early votes cast numbered 80,729,255 — hours before those polls closed.
VIEWER ADVICE
“It’s time for our quadrennial post on how to watch the Election Day returns for early hints about where the night may be headed. The Short Answer: Watch Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina for early signs of a Donald Trump wave or a Donald Trump bust,” writes Nate Ashworth, founder and editor of Election Central, a political news site.
He has advice for those who need a little guidance.
“Watch Florida and North Carolina but don’t be fooled by early numbers,” Mr. Ashworth noted.
17 HOURS NON-STOP
C-SPAN will air very comprehensive election-night coverage on Tuesday, with a close eye on the presidential race plus those state and local races that ultimately will decide control of Congress.
“Viewers can expect to learn election results, race projections, and see and hear live victory and concession speeches from critical Senate races across the country, all without editing or commentary,” the network said in a statement
“As a privately funded non-profit public affairs television network, C-SPAN is committed to providing results and speeches free from commercials and partisan analysis – no spin or partisan political pundits. By emphasizing candidates and the results – plus American voter voices via viewer calls and social media comments – C-SPAN will offer a unique viewing and listening experience all election night and into the next day,” the statement noted.
Programming begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, featuring live coverage, insights from journalists in key states, detailed exit poll results, and local coverage from battleground states and states with key Congressional races. Spectrum News+ election coverage will simulcast on C-SPAN2 throughout the night.
The 17-hour non-stop commercial-free TV coverage will be hosted, in order, by C-SPAN’s Greta Brawner, Peter Slen, Tammy Thueringer, Pedro Echevarria and John McArdle, and produced by C-SPAN Political Editor Nate Hurst.
“C-SPAN’s election night coverage will be accessible on C-SPAN, C-SPAN Radio, C-SPAN.org, the C-SPAN Now app, and on C-SPAN’s YouTube page. We invite viewers to participate by sharing their voting experiences and opinions,“ the network said.
Find the information at the network’s dedicated page for the election at c-span.org/campaign/?2024
MEANWHILE IN TEXAS
The leading election official in Texas is telling the Biden-Harris administration that federal election monitors are not welcome in the Lone Star State, according to Texas Scorecard, a news organization based in Leander, Texas.
The U.S. Department of Justice planned to send election monitors to “monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws” in 27 states — including Texas. Eight Texas counties — Bexar, Dallas, Frio, Harris, Hays, Palo Pinto, and Waller — were on the list to be monitored.
“Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson made it clear that federal monitors won’t be allowed inside polling places. In a letter to Jasmyn Richardson of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, Nelson emphasized that state law prohibits outside federal monitors from entering election sites,” Texas Scorecard noted in its coverage.
“Texas law is clear: Justice Department monitors are not permitted inside a polling place where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted,” the letter advised.
“Section 61.001 of the Texas Election Code specifies who may be lawfully present on election day; federal inspectors are not included in the list. TEX. ELEC. CODE § 61.001(a-1). Nor are federal inspectors specified in the list of those permitted in the central counting station while ballots are counted. See id. § 127.008(b),” the letter continued.
“Rest assured that Texas has robust processes and procedures in place to ensure eligible voters may participate in a free and fair election,” Ms. Nelson also said.
ON THE RADAR
The National Archives will mark Veterans Day with a program honoring the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, this in partnership with the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.
The special guests include two veterans from the battle itself — Frank Cohn and Harry Miller.
“They will share their eyewitness accounts of this critical battle during WWII. The conversation will be moderated by Alex Kershaw, journalist and author of ’The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of World War II’s Most Decorated Platoon’ and ’Patton’s Prayer: A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II,’” the federal agency noted in a public advisory.
The event is open to the public “in person and virtual” — meaning there’s also an online option. Find the information at archivesfoundation.org, at “Upcoming Events.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 25% of U.S. adults think it is “very likely” that there will be a peaceful transfer of power after the 2024 presidential election.
• 33% of Democrats, 18% of independents and 24% of Republicans agree.
• 32% overall think it is “somewhat likely” that there will be a peaceful transfer of power.
• 29% of Democrats, 23% of independents and 45% of Republicans agree.
• 14% overall think it’s “not very likely” there will be a peaceful transition.
• 12% of Democrats, 14% of independents and 15% of Republicans agree.
• 9% think it is “not likely at all” that there will be a peaceful transition.
• 6% of Democrats, 14% of independents and 7% of Republicans agree.
• 20% are not sure what will happen after the election.
• 20% of Democrats, 31% of independents and 9% of Republicans agree.
SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,587 U.S. adults conducted online Oct. 28-29.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.