21 Million Early Ballots Cast as Third Carrier Moves

The Department of Defense is moving a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East region. This deployment occurs while U.S. and Israeli leaders prepare for potential military action against Iran following the November 3 election. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A person briefed on war planning told NPR that the two nations anticipate an attack after voters finish casting ballots.

President Trump is expected to weigh military options after the election to prevent oil prices from rising before voters head to the polls. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is prepared for both diplomacy and war. Tehran currently demands formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the area.

Voting has already begun in earnest. The University of Florida's Election Lab reports that nearly 21 million Americans have cast ballots by mail or in person. That total increased by approximately 2 million in a single day. Early voting in key battleground states is running higher than in the previous midterm cycle. Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, though unaffiliated voters are also participating.

A federal judge in California is limiting pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency claims these efforts identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. Separately, a federal magistrate judge ordered President Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The ruling requires compliance with court rules or the threat of sanctions.

The lawsuit centers on a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024. Trump argues the program edited his January 6 speech to make it appear he incited a violent siege of Congress. The BBC apologized for the splicing but seeks to understand his state of mind during the address. BBC attorneys note that more than 200 January 6 defendants claimed the speech motivated them.

Grocery costs remain a focal point for households. Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, an 85% increase over the past decade. Eggs dropped to $2.27 per dozen after hitting a record high of $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, a 17.3% decline from the previous year due to oversupply. Coffee prices remain 44% higher than two years ago despite the removal of tariffs.

These economic shifts coincide with the military buildup and the surge in early voting. The data provides a snapshot of the current political and economic climate ahead of the election.