11/06/2024 --axios
Data: Associated Press; Map: Axios VisualsFormer President Trump has taken North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania and all but locked up the presidency.Why it matters: Trump would be just the second president ever to leave the White House and then win it back — doing so despite felony convictions, assassination attempts and countless scandals.Trump's plans for the country include mass deportations, sweeping tariffs, and expanded oil and gas drilling.He'll be aided by a GOP-led Senate, after Republicans flipped multiple seats, though it remains unclear which party will control the House.Driving the news: Trump made triumphant remarks early Wednesday from West Palm Beach, Fla., promising a "new golden age" for America and marveling at his own political comeback.Vice President Harris, by contrast, did not speak at her own Election Night event in Washington, D.C. as her path to victory continued to narrow.State of play: Trump is leading in the other four swing states — Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin — though none have yet been called by the Associated Press.Alaska's three electoral votes, which will almost certainly be called in Trump's favor, would put him at the 270 needed to clinch victory.Our live coverage has concluded, but follow along with our live results dashboard and scroll down to see how a historic night unfolded.NAACP's final push on voter protection and turnout effortsDominik Whitehead of the NAACP discussed the civil rights group's final push on Election Day, emphasizing turnout and voter protection in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, Axios' Delano Massey reports.The big picture: The NAACP has activated Election Day War Rooms and Voter Protection Hubs across major cities to handle issues like delayed poll openings and misleading texts.As of 10:30am ET, Whitehead said they had already tackled challenges like delayed polling start times in South Carolina and questionable, potentially misleading texts sent to voters in areas like Gwinnett County, Georgia."We're working with public safety and law enforcement to address any incidents to keep voting safe," he explained.With a specific focus on Black voters, particularly Black men, Whitehead highlighted the stakes, noting that this election impacts civil rights, education, and reproductive rights."We're ensuring voters get to the polls, have accurate information, and can vote without interference," he said."We know lifting up Black turnout is crucial," he stated, urging patience as votes are tallied later tonight.FBI warns about fabricated election misinformation videos Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosThe FBI on Tuesday warned that videos promoting false election narratives with the agency's name and insignia were circulating online as voters cast ballots across the country, Axios' April Rubin reports.One was a fabricated news clip that falsely claimed the FBI said Americans should "vote remotely" because of terror threats.The other, containing a fabricated press release, said the management of five prisons in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona rigged inmate voting and colluded with a political party.Election disinformation campaigns are expected to continue beyond Election Day, but officials on Monday said they hadn't seen any election security threats that could "materially impact" the outcome of the presidential election, Axios' Sam Sabin previously reported.Keep readingBomb threats in Fulton County, Georgia, originated in Russia Voters line up to cast their ballots on November 5, 2024 in Austell, Georgia. Photo: Megan Varner/Getty ImagesBomb threats that temporarily closed two polling places in Fulton County, Georgia, on Tuesday morning originated from Russia, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Axios' April Rubin reports.The Fulton County Police Department found no active threats at the polling places.Fulton County encompasses most of Atlanta and several other cities."We will just continue to be very responsive when we hear of stuff like that," Raffensperger said.The county's election department will seek permission for the two affected polling places to remain open for the amount of time that they were temporarily closed.Long waits plague closely watched Pennsylvania bellwether Voters wait in line to cast ballots at Samuel K. Faust Elementary School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Photo by: Isaac Avilucea/AxiosVoters at one Bucks County voting polling location encountered long waits to cast their ballots, Axios' Isaac Avilucea reports from Pennsylvania.Why it matters: Bucks County is one of the most important swing districts in the presidential race.Driving the news: Some voters at Samuel K. Faust Elementary School in Bensalem told Axios they had been waiting more than a hour to vote.Many frustrated voters left the polling place without voting, saying they'd return later in the day, former Bensalem councilmember Ed Tokmajian told Axios .Zoom in: Tokmajian said that voter turnout in the district is higher than it has been in previous presidential elections.Making things worse: Election workers only had one polling book to check the names of eligible voters."We just weren't prepared for it," Tokmajian says.What they're saying: Maurice Anderson, 49, a hospital orderly, told Axios he was frustrated with the long wait since he came to vote before heading to work.Anderson had been waiting in line for more than 35 minutes to cast a ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris, but he says nothing could keep him from voting in a historic race that could see the first woman of color become commander-in-chief."Probably the biggest [election] in my lifetime," he said. "I'll wait it out. This is the cost of business."Trump votes in his "last" election Donald and Melania Trump at a polling place in Florida. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesFormer President Trump told reporters after casting his ballot that he's not sure whether he'll declare victory on election night, as he did in 2020, and acknowledged the possibility he could lose, Axios' Dave Lawler reports.Why it matters: Allies and adversaries alike expect Trump to announce he won, regardless of what results show, and to claim fraud if he loses. That gives added significance to Trump's statement that he currently believes this election has been "fair," and to his concession that there is even the slightest possibility Vice President Harris could win.Yes, but: Trump claimed without evidence that he came into Election Day with a big lead and that "Republican lines" had been much longer across the country this morning.He also cast doubt on the efficiency and reliability of voting machines, and called it an "absolute outrage" that key states take so long to count ballots.But Trump did say there will be "no violence" after the election because "my supporters are not violent people."Keep readingUniversity of Texas students vote while police provide security Jeannine Cook, a volunteer with the nonprofit voting rights group Election Protection, stands near a polling place at the University of Texas on Tuesday. Photo: Asher Price/AxiosIn Austin, at the University of Texas' Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs, a steady trickle of students popped in to cast their ballots, Axios' Asher Price reports from Austin.What they're saying: "As an American citizen I feel an obligation to participate in the electoral process," Jonathan Dexter, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in mechanical engineering, told Axios as he left the polling place.The intrigue: A University of Texas police cruiser was parked by the voting precinct."Given the climate of the country and the sort of special status of Austin in Texas as being out of step with the general political persuasion of a lot of Texans," Paul Sullivan, a volunteer with Election Protection, a nonpartisan nonprofit voting rights group, told Axios, "this could be a target for people who are suspicious of the system or who say elections are crooked."Gen Z has never voted in a presidential election without Trump Former President Trump talks to reporters after casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 05, 2024. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesDonald Trump has appeared on every presidential ballot since Gen Z started voting, Axios' April Rubin reports.The oldest members of the cohort first voted for president in 2016. Some of the youngest are casting a ballot for the first time this year.Zoom in: "A lot of young people are fired up," Harry Sisson, a Democratic Gen Z political influencer, told Axios on Tuesday. "A lot of young people are thinking about the issues and wanting to make their voices heard."Sisson, who recently campaigned for Democrats in battleground states, said he hopes the winning candidate prioritizes youth by boosting reproductive rights, addressing climate change and lowering housing costs.State of play: Harris has a 50-point lead over Trump among two- and four-year college students polled this month by Generation Lab in the seven swing states.4 radically different '25 scenarios Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosA series of "Behind the Curtain" columns by Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen will help you get ready for the radically different Washington environments that businesses will face depending on the election's outcome.Why it matters: Whether one party runs the table or we wind up with a divided government, expect cultural wars that are stoked by the election's winners and losers, fueled by the media, and then seep into the workplace.The four scenarios.Ballot scanner outages reported in several states An election worker puts mail-in ballots into a counting machine at the Salt Lake County election offices in Utah on Nov. 4, 2024. Photo" George Frey/AFP via Getty ImagesSeveral jurisdictions have experienced ballot scanner outages today, including in Pennsylvania's Cambria and Bedford counties, Axios' Sam Sabin reports.The problem isn't widespread, but outages were reported in Alabama, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Virginia, according the nonpartisan group Verified Voting.The intrigue: Pamela Smith, CEO of Verified Voting, told reporters during a briefing Tuesday that poll workers are trying to resolve the issues.The back-up plan is to store marked ballots in a safe location, such as an auxiliary bin already attached to scanners or in a bag or box, so they can be counted once the equipment is running again, Smith said."Every vote will be counted," she said. "The fact that the scanner is down doesn't mean that those voters lose out."Reality check: Federal officials have not yet seen any "national-level significant incidents" that are affecting election infrastructure, Cait Conley, senior advisor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters during a briefing today."Celebrate" democracy with Kool & The Gang DJLO'KEE lifts the energy as a steady stream of voters come in and out of a polling place in North Charlotte. Photo: Alexandria Sands/AxiosWhat tracks do you put on an "unprecedented Election Day" playlist? A little pop, a little country, some old school R&B — "Family music, for sure," Keanna Lewis (DJLO'KEE) tells Axios Charlotte's Alexandria Sands.The big picture: Lewis is one of several DJs in Charlotte hoping to lift up spirits and turn out voters with the power of music.First song to get the vibes going: "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang.How to watch the election smartly and sanely Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosThe presidential election winner likely won't be known the night of Nov. 5. It may not even be clear the morning after. Or the day after, Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen wrote.But that doesn't mean the eventual results were rigged, manipulated or wrong.Why it matters: Sluggish vote counts could fuel distrust in the election, spark protests and paralyze governance.Both parties are preparing to challenge ballots, especially if mail-in or absentee votes are decisive in swing states, raising the possibility of prolonged court fights.Man with flare gun, smelling of fuel arrested at U.S. Capitol The U.S. Capitol is seen on Oct. 3, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Valerie Plesch/picture alliance via Getty ImagesU.S. Capitol Police arrested a man who smelled like fuel and had a torch and a flare gun at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Axios' April Rubin reports.The big picture: The arrest came amid reports of election day threats that temporarily closed polling places around the country with law enforcement on alert for political violence.In Jacksonville, Florida, a polling site was temporarily closed while law enforcement investigated a suspicious package. The City of Jacksonville said it was a "false alarm" after the sheriff's office investigated.In Fulton County, Georgia, bomb threats originating from Russia temporarily closed two polling places.Other threats:Rockdale County, North Carolina: The local sheriff's office said it received reports of white supremacist and KKK threats against Black people. "We have validated that this message is untrue," law enforcement said.Maine schools received swatting calls — but there is "no threat to the public," per Maine State Police.Meanwhile, the FBI warned that its image and insignia were circulating online with fabricated videos promoting false election narratives that risk jeopardizing public trust in the electoral process.Swing state Pennsylvania reports surge of mail in-ballots returned A voter uses a ballot drop box in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 31, 2024. Photo: Ed Jones/AFP via Getty ImagesMore than 1.8 million Pennsylvania voters returned their mail-in ballots as of Tuesday, per the state's website.The big picture: That amounts to a nearly 86% return rate among voters who applied for a mail-in ballot (more than 2.1 million).Zoom in: Entering Election Day, Democrats were outpacing Republicans who returned mail-in ballots, more than 1 million compared to nearly 600,000, respectively.Yes, but: Election result delays are expected in the state due to state law that doesn't permit election officials to "even remove the ballots from the envelopes and prepare them to be scanned" until 7am on Election Day, per the state's website.43 states allow for mail-in ballots to be pre-processed, according to the nonprofit Brennan Center for Justice.Record-high turnout predicted in several key states Residents cast their votes in Saranac, Michigan, on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesElection officials in Michigan and several other states are predicting turnout to surpass records set in 2020, when about 158 million Americans — 66% of eligible voters — cast ballots, Axios' Dave Lawler reports.Why it matters: If turnout is unexpectedly high, the election results could diverge dramatically from the razor-thin margins reflected in the polls.That's because pollsters have to make numerous assumptions about the size and makeup of the electorate when conducting their surveys.Breaking it down: High turnout is usually good news for Democrats, because the demographics for whom turnout varies the most cycle to cycle — in particular young people — tend to vote Dem.This time around, though, Harris is relying on older, college-educated voters who are almost certain to turn out.Record-high turnout could mean millions of additional Trump voters heading to the polls, in addition to surges in college towns and big cities.Still, Democratic strategists are feeling encouraged by the turnout numbers.Driving the news: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) said Tuesday afternoon that her critical swing state was on course for record turnout.Election officials in Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio made similar statements on or ahead of Election Day.Across the country, turnout numbers tend to look a lot more like 2020 than 2016, when just 59% of eligible voters cast ballots.Trump and Giuliani draw crowds in West Palm Beach Nic Breeding and Rowan the Yorkie pose outside a West Palm Beach polling site on Tuesday after former President Trump voted there. Photo: Martin Vassolo/AxiosTrump supporters and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani gathered in West Palm Beach on Tuesday afternoon as the former president cast his ballot at his local polling station, Axios' Martin Vassolo reports from Miami.Giuliani showed up in the classic Mercedes-Benz convertible a judge ordered he turn over in a defamation judgment against him.One Trump supporter told Axios he got Giuliani to sign his gold Trump sneakers.State of play: As Trump voted at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, snipers stood guard from a nearby rooftop and dozens of police vehicles blocked a lane of traffic.Nearby, authorities erected barricades near the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where Trump is going to appear at an election night watch party.Harris makes first public appearance on Election Day Vice President Harris drops by phone bank event at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Nov. 5 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesVice President Harris participated in a phone bank event at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Axios' April Rubin reports."Jennifer, hi. It's Kamala Harris. Have you voted yet?" Harris said to a woman over the phone, per the Washington Post. She also spoke to the woman's 8-year-old daughter. Vice President Harris drops by phone bank event at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Nov. 5 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesMinnesota aims for high turnout record People vote in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo: Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty ImagesNearly 1.3 million Minnesotans had cast an early absentee ballot as of 9am on Election Day, Axios' Torey Van Oot reports from Minneapolis based on the latest Secretary of State data.State of play: That's close to double Minnesota's early vote total for 2016, the first presidential election in which the option was widely available in the state.In 2020, a record 1.9 million residents voted early in person or by mail amid the pandemic.The big picture: Minnesota led the nation for turnout in 2020, with just under 80% of eligible voters casting a ballot.Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon told reporters last week that while they're shooting for No. 1 for the third consecutive presidential election, other states have "really stepped up their game.""Why not" bring your cat to the polls? William Louie, 68, of Aurora, with his cat, Tiger, after voting at the Adams County Human Services Center in Westminster. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/AxiosA small line formed outside a polling center in Westminster, a suburb north of Denver, shortly before 2pm on Tuesday, Axios' Esteban L. Hernandez reports from Denver.The big picture: The lines at the Adams County Human Services Center had been steady throughout the day, with roughly 20 or so people, an Adams County poll worker told Axios.It's not unusual to have short lines in a state where most voters cast ballots before Election Day, due to mail-in voting.Zoom in: William Louie, 68, of Aurora, said he cast his ballot in Adams County after some confusion about where he was supposed to vote, since he lives near the border of three different counties.He brought his cat, Tiger, to the polling center. "Why not?" he said.Between the line: Louie, a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, said he voted for Trump, saying his medical care was far better under his administration.Louie received cancer treatment at the VA Hospital, something he credits to Trump.Pets head to the polls Dogs can't vote, but they can accompany you to the ballot drop off site in Portland, Ore. Photo: Meira Gebel/AxiosAs voters across the country cast their ballots, their furry friends accompanied them to the polls.Why it matters: In the stress of a closely contested election, many Americans turn to their pets to ease their anxiety. A woman holds her dachshund as she casts her ballot at a vote center on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024 in Burbank, California. Photo: Robyn Beck AFP via Getty ImagesDogs legally can't vote, but they appreciate being included. Penny, a labradoodle, waits for its owner Katy O'Carroll outside a polling station after her son placed an "I voted" sticker on her forehead on Nov. 5, 2024 in Pittsburgh. Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty ImagesWilliam Louie, a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, brought his cat Tiger with him to the polls in Colorado. "Why not" he said. William Louie, 68, of Aurora, with his cat, Tiger, after voting at the Adams County Human Services Center in Westminster. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/AxiosFormer President Trump cast his ballot in West Palm Beach, Florida, Tuesday, drawing a crowd, including Nic Breeding and Rowan the Yorkie, Nic Breeding and Rowan the Yorkie pose outside a West Palm Beach polling site on Tuesday after former President Trump voted there. Photo: Martin Vassolo/AxiosTrump baselessly claims widespread "cheating" hours after calling election "fair" Former President Trump thanks his staff at his campaign headquarters on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesFormer President Trump took to Truth Social Tuesday afternoon to claim that he was hearing reports of widespread cheating in Pennsylvania, Axios' Ivana Saric reports.Why it matters: It's a stark change in tone for Trump, who hours earlier told reporters he felt the election had been "fair."The big picture: Trump has been preparing to sow doubt about the election results for months, in a repeat of his 2020 election playbook, and has repeatedly accused Democrats without evidence of planning to "steal" the election."A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law Enforcement coming!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.Pennsylvania is arguably the most critical swing state on the electoral map."Non-partisan election officials are doing their jobs across Pennsylvania and they are working very hard to ensure we have free, fair, safe and secure elections," Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt (R) said prior to the election in an effort to stave off baseless conspiracy theories.Election disinformation videos targeting FBI linked to Russia The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is seen on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington D.C., on July 12th, 2024. Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesDisinformation researchers uncovered two new videos attacking the FBI's reputation to spread fake election narratives in order to undermine trust in the voting process, Axios' Sam Sabin reports.Why it matters: The FBI's reputation has become a major target for Russian operatives working to spread lies about the 2024 U.S. elections.The bureau is one of the federal offices that investigates election threats, including foreign-backed disinformation.Zoom in: Researchers at Alethea told Axios in an email that they've uncovered two videos being shared on X, formerly Twitter, that can be traced back to Storm-1679, a known pro-Russia propaganda group.One video claims Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is VP candidate Tim Walz's deputy, has accused the FBI of having a Republican bias and only releasing information that would hurt Democrats.That video purported to be from Fox News and tagged the news outlet in a post on X.The second video showed a fake MSNBC newscast reporting that the FBI said more than 1,200 ballots from five states had been "spoiled" in attacks on ballot drop boxes.The fake MSNBC video also attempted to spoof FBI Director Christopher Wray's voice.Catch up quick: Federal officials have said that Russia-linked election disinformation will continue to flood the internet today and throughout the week.Earlier today, the FBI warned about two other videos promoting fake election narratives that featured the FBI's name and insignia.The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.This morning, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, said bomb threats to two polling places in the state were linked to Russia.Several Georgia precincts extend voting after bomb threats A voter marks their ballot at a polling location in Dallas, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo: Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSeveral precincts in metro Atlanta will remain open until 7:58pm ET, a judge ruled Tuesday afternoon, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.The big picture: The NAACP and its Georgia State Conference have been urging Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to extend polling hours in Gwinnett, Fulton and DeKalb counties by an hour after bomb threats temporarily closed several polling sites, primarily in Black communities, Axios' Delano Massey and Kristal Dixon report.Officials determined the threats weren't credible, and Raffensperger said they originated from Russia.The threats disrupting voting in key metro Atlanta counties where Black voters hold significant influence.What they're saying: NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasized that these intimidation tactics should not obstruct the democratic process."The right to vote is sacred," he said. "No individual or foreign entity should be able to undermine the voices of Black Georgians."Key Philly suburb expects "solid idea" of winner tonight An election worker opens the secrecy envelopes on ballots at the Philadelphia City Commissions Office & Elections Warehouse in Philadelphia on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhiladelphia's most populous suburban county could have a "solid idea" about election results as early as tonight, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said in a post on X, Axios' Isaac Avilucea reports from Philadelphia.Why it matters: Counting delays plagued Pennsylvania's 2020 election, which put massive pressure on election officials this year to quickly and accurately provide results.Driving the news: Montgomery should have all Election Day votes counted and an idea of overall turnout by midnight, Makhija said.All mail-in ballots — of which there's more than 168,000 compared to about 244,000 in 2020 — could be counted as early as Wednesday.Flashback: In 2020, Biden carried the county, a reliably blue district with nearly 100,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.Musk to join Trump at Mar-a-Lago for Election Night Elon Musk appears on stage before Former President Trump speaks at a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York on Oct. 27, 2024. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesElon Musk said he is going to Mar-a-Lago to spend Election Night with former President Trump.Why it matters: Musk has been one of Trump's most active supporters this cycle, spending millions to back the former president's bid for reelection.Driving the news: "I just voted and now I'm headed to Florida, and I'll be there with President Trump and JD [Vance] and a bunch of other cool people," Musk said on an X Spaces on Tuesday.State of play: Musk and other Trump surrogates have increasingly tried to court male voters this cycle, viewing this demographic as key to the former president's pathway back to the White House.Stephen Miller, former Trump White House senior adviser, wrote on X just before 6pm ET: "If you know any men who haven't voted, get them to the polls."Florida's fight over abortion rights likely to last past Election DayWith less than a week before Election Day, an effort to enshrine the right to an abortion in Florida's Constitution was tangled in lawsuits and facing an unprecedented barrage by top state officials, Axios Tampa Bay's Kathryn Varn reports.Why it matters: At least one of those legal challenges puts the validity of Amendment 4 in jeopardy — even if voters approve it Tuesday.All stem from Gov. Ron DeSantis' ongoing campaign to sow doubt over the initiative and underscore how far he's willing to go to defeat it.The big picture: The DeSantis administration has funneled state resources into combatting the amendment, from a state-run website with debunked criticisms to state police visits to Floridians who signed petitions supporting the measure.Go deeper.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wins West Virginia Senate seatThe coal-mining magnate's victory strips Democrats of a stronghold in the solidly red state. Go deeper.Editor's note: This post was corrected to show West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won the Senate seat (not Jim Jordan).Why 2024 could see another "red mirage" and "blue shift" Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosDelayed absentee ballot counts in key swing states could tilt how the presidential race ultimately shakes out, Axios' Ivana Saric reports.Why it matters: Trump seized on phenomena known as the "red mirage" and "blue shift" to push baseless claims in 2020 that the election had been stolen. Experts say there's potential for a similar shift this year, too.How it works: Voters from smaller and more rural counties tend to cast their ballots on Election Day, per an analysis of the 2020 election from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab.If that trend holds, it could create the appearance that Trump and Republicans are in the lead — the so-called "red mirage."However, as absentee and mail-in ballots, typically originating from denser, more urban precincts that lean Democratic, are tabulated, the outcome in certain states could change — leading to a "blue shift" on the electoral map.Flashback: In 2020, states like Georgia and Michigan turned from red to blue on the electoral map as more ballots were received and counted, prompting Trump and his allies to claim the results were rigged and the election stolen.Trump cruises in FloridaThe AP just called Florida for Trump, and it wasn't even close, Axios' Dave Lawler writes.He's up 12.4 points with 88% of the vote in, at time of writing. His margin of victory over Biden in 2020 was 3.3 points.Trump is also on course to be the first Republican nominee to carry Miami-Dade County since 1988.State of play: It looks like a good news for Republicans across the Sunshine State.Sen. Rick Scott easily won reelection, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna cruised to victory in a seat Democrats had been targeting.Zoom out: Florida has some electoral peculiarities that make it hard to transpose onto other states, but what was once the ultimate swing state is looking like a Republican stronghold.Make-or-break Detroit Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesTurnout among Black voters in a handful of cities like Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Charlotte could swing Tuesday's election. Harris focused her closing push accordingly, Axios' Delano Massey and Joe Guillen report.Why it matters: Grassroots organizers tell Axios voter apathy and disinformation might dampen support, particularly among young Black men. But if Black turnout comes in higher than expected, former President Trump's path to victory will get a lot narrower."For Black voters, this isn't about persuasion at this point," says Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC. "It's about turnout — getting those people who are saying, 'I don't know if I'm going to vote'' to show up to the polls."Dispatch from Harris' watch party Supporters attend an election night event for Vice President Harris at her alma mater, Howard University. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty ImagesThousands have filled the campus courtyard at Howard University, Harris' alma mater, where she is spending Election Night, Axios' Cuneyt Dil reports from the scene in D.C.The vibe: Musicians are performing on a stage in front of a massive American flag — and the autumn evening, a mild 70 degrees, couldn't be any better. Expectant supporters and students just heard the singing of the national anthem, after an hour of dancing to DJ tracks.The vice president will address the crowd later tonight.Zoom in: It's a moment in the spotlight for the HBCU that Harris attended in the 1980s, before heading the University of California College of the Law.She remains active within her sorority at Howard, Alpha Kappa Alpha. She spoke at the group's national gathering this year.Mark Robinson loses to Democrat Josh Stein in NC governor's raceNorth Carolina Democratic AG Josh Stein defeated the state's embattled Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the race for governor. Go deeper.Florida rejects ballot measure to enshrine abortion rightsA ballot measure to allow abortions up until the point of viability in Florida failed Tuesday, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.Why it matters: The result makes Florida one of the first states since the overturning of Roe v. Wade to reject a measure to enshrine abortion rights protections.Despite being supported by a majority of Floridians, the measure failed to reach the 60% threshold of votes to pass.Hours earlier, Trump refused to say how he voted on the initiative, but had said during his campaign that he would vote against the measure.Flashback: Florida's 6-week abortion ban went into effect in May.Go deeper..Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester will be first Black senator to represent Delaware Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesDelaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) won her Senate race Tuesday, per AP, besting Republican Eric Hansen, Axios' Avery Lotz writes.Blunt Rochester will become the first woman and Black person to represent the state in the Senate.The four-term representative will succeed Democrat Tom Carper.Arizona judge orders Navajo Nation precincts stay open lateA judge in a rural Arizona county ordered nine polling places to stay open an extra two hours because of long lines and delays caused by equipment malfunctions, Axios Phoenix's Jeremy Duda reports.The big picture: Affected precincts in Apache County, in the northeastern part of the state, will remain open until 9pm MT — instead of 7pm MT — attorneys for the tribe told Axios.Zoom in: Printer issues and ballot shortages left people waiting in line as long as three hours in some locations, The Arizona Republic reported.Some voters left because they couldn't wait so long, according to a copy of the complaint, which states there are 43,227 registered voters in this region of the Navajo Nation.Trump prosecutor wins re-election in Georgia Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Aug. 14, 2023, in AtlantaFani Willis, the district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia who has overseen Trump's election interference case in the state, won her reelection bid, Axios' Jen Ashley reports.The latest: Willis cruised to an easy victory in reliably blue Fulton County against Republican challenger Courtney Kramer, a former White House legal intern in the Trump administration.The lawsuit has been delayed repeatedly as Trump's lawyers have fought to remove Willis from the case.Go deeper.New York expands anti-discrimination protections to include abortionNew Yorkers voted Tuesday to expand the state's Equal Rights Amendment to protect abortion rights, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.Why it matters: The measure also adds protections from future threats to limit access to the procedure.The big picture: The measure ensures individuals can't be denied rights on the basis of their "ethnicity, national origin, age, disability" or "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy."Abortion is currently legal up to 24 weeks post-fertilization in the state.Democrat Angela Alsobrooks wins Maryland Senate race Photo : Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesThe Prince George's County executive who made control of the U.S. Senate front-and-center in her campaign defeated Republican Larry Hogan. Go deeper. Maryland enshrines abortion rightsVoters in deep-blue Maryland approved an amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes. Why it matters: While abortion is currently legal in the state until viability, the measure "confirms an individual's fundamental right to reproductive freedom," making it harder for lawmakers to introduce restrictions on abortion in the future.It's just one of eleven abortion-related measures on ballots across the country Tuesday. Speaker Mike Johnson says he feels "really good" about House racesThe GOP House leader easily held his own seat in a heavily Republican district in Louisiana, Axios' Juliegrace Brufke and Chelsea Brasted report.What he's saying: Johnson addressed supporters Tuesday at a party in Shreveport Tuesday night after his win was confirmed. "I'm having to manage about 250 races around the country tonight, I want to tell you we feel really good about that.""Many of you know our nation is in very serious times right now, and we've got to have steady hands at the wheel."Why it matters: House Republicans are defending a narrow majority on Tuesday. Go deeper.Sarah McBride becomes first openly transgender person elected to U.S. CongressDelaware state Sen. Sarah McBride (D) won her race to become a U.S. representative for the state's only congressional district. Go deeper.Bitcoin hits record high price of nearly $75K Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosBitcoin has hit a new all-time high price, pushing close to $75,000 on CoinGecko, a data site for cryptocurrency prices, as traders bet that Donald Trump will return to the White House, Axios Crypto author Brady Dale writes. This breaks the original cryptocurrency's previous high from March, which came on news that a bitcoin ETF approval.Bitcoin price has been moving upward in expectation of a Trump victory in recent weeks, along with other risk assets.Trump takes Iowa: "Selzer Poll" falls flat for DemsAn Iowa poll that sent a surge of enthusiasm through Democrats in the election's closing days didn't match reality: the AP has now called Iowa for Trump, Axios' Dave Lawler writes. Driving the news: The Des Moines Register poll from legendary pollster J. Ann Selzer — who developed a formidable track record over two decades of on-target projections — showed Harris leading by three due to overwhelming support among women voters.That led Democratic strategists and even some fellow pollsters to wonder if Selzer had spotted something they'd missed. Some even started to speculate about a blue wave.In fact, Trump leads in Iowa by 14 points with around two-thirds of the vote in at time of writing.The Trump campaign is taking a victory lap, saying in a statement that Trump and Vance "will help to ease costs... for retirees like Ann Selzer."Colorado is third state to pass abortion measureVoters in Colorado approved a measure to enshrine abortion rights protections in their state constitution, AP reports.Colorado, which already allows abortions, is the third state so far Tuesday to pass an abortion-related measure. Go deeper.Harris supporters warily watch results come in The scene from Harris' Election Night event at Howard University. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty ImagesThousands of Harris supporters have their eyes fixed on a live projection of CNN at Howard University's courtyard in Washington, D.C., Axios' Delano Massey and Cuneyt Dil report from the scene.The latest: Cheerful dancing earlier in the night has given way to sober expressions as the returns show a tight race.The big picture: Harris selected Howard's cultural hub, The Yard, for her party — cherished by alumni, especially members of the school's Black Greek letter organizations.Support from Black Greeks for Harris has been evident since Harris announced her presidential campaign, with Divine Nine members actively emailing, calling, and donating.House Majority Leader Steve Scalise "optimistic" about Trump's chances Scalise poses at the Election Night event. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/AxiosMetairie, Louisiana — Rep. Steve Scalise said it's "exciting to see" momentum building for former President Trump tonight, Axios New Orleans' Chelsea Brasted reports."People are very optimistic," Scalise told Axios New Orleans, "but it could be a late night. But I hope it gets resolved and President Trump is the winner later tonight."As the House majority leader chatted with media and supporters at a seafood restaurant outside New Orleans, a plane waited on a nearby tarmac to bring him to Mar-a-Lago in anticipation of a Trump win, per a staffer.When Louisiana was called for Trump earlier in the night, no one seemed to notice.Alerted to the news, one woman told another guest: "Well, we knew that."Abortion updates: Missouri votes to overturn post-Roe banData: Associated Press; Chart: Axios VisualsMissouri voters approved a ballot measure on Tuesday establishing a constitutional right to an abortion, AP reports.Why it matters: Missouri was the first state in the country to enact a ban in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, and is now the first to reverse a near-total abortion ban.Zoom out: Voters in Colorado, Maryland and New York — all blue states where abortion is legal — voted to strengthen protections. Meanwhile, Florida voters rejected a ballot measure protecting abortion access.Ballot measures in five states have yet to be called.View our abortion ballot measure tracker.Harris wins Nebraska's second congressional districtHarris snagged Nebraska's blue dot in a sea of red: the second congressional district.Why it matters: In a last-minute effort to secure the one electoral vote held by the district, Republicans sought to switch the way the Cornhusker State allocated its electoral votes to a winner-take-all basis.The push, championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and backed by Trump, was ultimately sidelined before the election after failing to gain enough support to overcome a filibuster.State of play: Nebraska's second congressional district has changed party hands in recent presidential elections.President Biden and former President Obama won it in 2020 and 2008, while Mitt Romney and Trump took it in 2012 and 2016.Trump heads to watch party; Harris won't address supporters Trump supporters during an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 5 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesTrump is making his way to his supporters' watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, where thousands of people have been eagerly waiting for him to speak, Axios' Sophia Cai reports.The former president has spent much of the night in the large ballroom of Mar-a-Lago watching the results roll in, sitting next to UFC CEO Dana White and Elon Musk, two of his closest allies.Harris does not plan to address her DC gathering, multiple news outlets report. Crowds have started to leave the Howard University Party, Axios' Cuneyt Dil writes from the scene.The night began upbeat, but as the hours wore on, expressions turned sober, and eyes were glued to a giant projection of CNN showing Harris' path to victory narrowing.Harris will speak tomorrow at Howard, campaign co-chair says Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) speaks at Howard University on Nov. 6. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty ImagesCedric Richmond, co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, confirmed early Wednesday "we won't hear from the vice president tonight," Axios' Delano Massey reports."She will be back here tomorrow" at Howard to address the nation, he said. After Richmond addressed the crowd, people began leaving The Yard as Let's Groove by Earth, Wind & Fire played.What they're saying: LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said she was cautiously optimistic about the 2024 election outcome but troubled by what the early results reveal about the nation."Why is this even close? Why is this a nail-biter?" she asked.Detroit's 2024 election "Kumbaya"The chaos surrounding Detroit's election four years ago has been absent this year as workers continued counting ballots in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Axios Detroit's Joe Guillen reports.Flashback: In 2020 Trump's supporters descended on Detroit's convention hall chanting "stop the count" and banging on windows as election workers counted absentee ballots.The latest: Michigan results should be finished before 6am, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told reporters Tuesday night.As of about 1am ET, about 60% of Michigan's votes had been reported, per AP.What they're saying: "You hear that? I think I hear people singing Kumbaya. It's very peaceful here today," Daniel Baxter, the city's elections operations chief, told reporters inside Huntington Place, the city's convention hall."It's diametrically different from the experience that we had in 2020."Between the lines: This differences are in part due to the state's new election laws that expanded early voting and allowed ballots to be processed before Election Day."Golden age of America": Trump speaks in West Palm Beach Trump speaks during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 6. Photo: Jim Watson / AFPTrump hailed his return to the verge of the presidency as the "greatest political movement of all time" during an Election Night party in West Palm Beach, Fla, Axios' Erin Doherty writes.What he's saying: "This will truly be the golden age of America," Trump said at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, surrounded by members of his family, campaign staff and surrogates.Trump promised to "seal up the borders" and make America safer and more prosperous.He also said that his campaign "overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible"during his bid for the White House.Trump invited Sen. JD Vance up to the podium, quipping that after taking criticism for his VP pick "he's turned out to be a good choice."Zoom in: He also spoke at length about his partnerships with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk.
