usatoday--2020-11-02--32 things we learned from Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season

The 32 things we learned from Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season : 1 .
I saw Amir , the third-string barista at my favorite Washington coffee spot , this weekend for the first time in months .
I gave him a hard time – I like to give people a hard time – since I assumed he was suffering as a longtime New England fan .
His response ?
`` Oh , it 's fine – I 'm a Tampa Bay Bucs fan now .
The Patriots are unwatchable , and Belichick 's just trying to cut the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This certainly says something about Amir 's allegiance , but I suspect quite a few more New Englanders might be hopping onto a Buccaneers bandwagon driven by Tom Brady in this darkest autumn of the Patriots Century .
And the Pats certainly are borderline unwatchable , QB Cam Newton 's fumble with 31 seconds left in what became a 24-21 loss at Buffalo perhaps the final blow to the six-time Super Bowl champs ' bid to win a record 12th consecutive AFC East crown .
2 .
The Patriots have lost four in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 – the only time they failed to make the playoffs when Brady was their primary quarterback .
2a .
New England 's 15 turnovers in 2020 already match their total for the entire 2019 campaign ... when Brady protected the ball far better than Newton .
3 .
Now 6-2 , the Bills draw closer to their first division title since 1995 .
3a .
With RBs Devin Singletary ( 86 yards ) and Zack Moss ( 81 ) finally performing like a capable tandem , Buffalo churned out a season-high ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday – a great sign for a team that 's been dreadful in this department .
4 .
Newton was n't the only prominent QB to end Sunday afternoon on a sour note .
The Packers ' Aaron Rodgers was strip-sacked on the final play of Green Bay 's surprise 28-22 loss to Minnesota – a team that 's been ravaged at cornerback and pass rusher this year , theoretically making them an ideal victim for this Pack attack .
5 .
There were seven TDs scored in the Vikings-Packers game – all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook and all three of Green Bay 's by WR Davante Adams .
5a .
In fact , Cook scored on each of the Vikings ' first four drives , the first time a player had done that in league history .
6 .
Saints QB Drew Brees threw a pair of TD passes Sunday , establishing a new NFL record with his 560th .
6a .
More on this Monday night ... when Brady ( 559 career TD passes ) and the Bucs take on the hapless Giants .
7.New Orleans ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into the NFC 's projected playoff field while knocking the Bears out of it .
8 .
Still trying to decide how I feel about `` octopus '' as an NFL term , i.e .
the Colts ' Jordan Wilkins posted an octopus with a 1-yard TD run capped with his own two-point conversion .
9 .
But far more impressive than Wilkins ' octo-score were the celebrations by Indianapolis teammate Nyheim Hines , who scored twice Sunday and posted a pair of the most spectacular celebratory end-zone flips you 'll ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quietly pulled even with the Titans , now losers of two in a row , for the AFC South lead .
The clubs will play twice in the next four weeks .
11 .
Now 7-0 , the Steelers remain the NFL 's only undefeated team .
Pittsburgh has now matched its 1978 Steel Curtain brethren for the best start in franchise history .
12 .
However the Ravens ( 5-2 ) will kick themselves for losing to the archrival Steelers on a day when Baltimore could have pulled even in the AFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball over a career-worst four times , including his first-ever pick-six , and the Ravens committed nine penalties for 110 yards in a game where they dominated in most aspects ... the scoreboard notwithstanding .
13 .
However Baltimore 's biggest setback was arguably the season-ending loss of stalwart LT Ronnie Stanley to an ankle injury .
14 .
The Ravens failed to score in the third quarter Sunday , the first time they 'd been shut out in any period this season .
Their 26 consecutive quarters with a score to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record .
15 .
Pittsburgh sacked Jackson four times and now has at least one QB takedown in 64 straight games , now five short of Tampa Bay 's all-time record – established in 2003 , when Mike Tomlin was a Buccaneers assistant .
16 .
Speaking of Mike T. , let 's give him a big hand for his 140th regular-season win .
The victory moved Tomlin past his former Buccaneers boss , Tony Dungy , for most ever among Black head coaches .
17 .
Got ta let Russ cook when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind him .
And Seattle QB Russell Wilson responded with four more TD passes – giving him a league-best 26 , one shy of Brady 's record through seven games – as the Seahawks improved to 6-1 .
18 .
The Bengals ' upset of Tennessee means Cincinnati has already matched its 2019 win total of two .
19 .
The Raiders are 2-1 in 1 p.m .
ET kickoffs on the East Coast this year .
Their victory Sunday in Cleveland came almost 40 years after the erstwhile Oakland Raiders upset the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the famous `` Red Right 88 '' game .
The Raiders went on to become the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl that season .
20 .
The Las Vegas Raiders definitely resembled the more physical , all-weather team Sunday in a rainy , blustery game played on the shores of Lake Erie .
The Silver and Black outrushed the Browns 208-101 thanks largely to RB Josh Jacobs ( 31 carries for 128 yards ) .
Put a pin in this game , which could have huge wild-card implications down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporting three losses .
21 .
The Browns are currently the AFC 's No .
7 seed .
But at 5-3 , they 're only a half-game ahead of the Raiders and Dolphins .
22 .
Cleveland has averaged 6.3 points in its trio of 2020 defeats .
23 .
Browns DE Myles Garrett , who suffered a knee injury in the second quarter Sunday , was held without a sack for the first time since Week 1 .
24.Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes scorched the Jets for five TD passes Sunday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
25 .
Chiefs RB Le'Veon Bell , released by the Jets Oct. 13 , turned in a performance familiar to NYJ fans .
He rushed six times for 7 yards , adding 31 yards on three catches .
But his production contributed to a Kansas City offense that outgained New York 496-221 .
26 .
Miami 's Jakeem Grant returned a punt 88 yards for a TD , the first in the league this season .
27 .
Congratulations to Dolphins rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa , who won his first NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass since leaving Alabama .
Judging by the reaction of his teammates after he squeezed that 3-yard scoring seed to DeVante Parker , Miami players are fully behind Tagovailoa despite the surprising demotion of previous starter Ryan Fitzpatrick .
27a .
Tagovailoa was the first left-handed quarterback to start a game in the NFL since 2015 , when Kellen Moore did so for the Cowboys .
28 .
The Fins improved to 4-3 by outlasting the Rams .
However those who questioned coach Brian Flores ' decision to switch to Tagovailoa will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited from special teams and defensive TDs on Sunday but was otherwise dominated by L.A. on the stat sheet .
The Rams had 31 first downs to the Dolphins ' eight , outgained Miami 471-145 and possessed the ball for 13 minutes more .
Give credit where it 's due , but Tagovailoa ( 93 yards passing ) and Co. ca n't continue winning like this – especially against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals next week .
29 .
Win probability strikes again .
The Chargers ' was 98.8 % today , per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-3 third-quarter advantage in Denver , becoming the first club in league history to lose three consecutive games it had led by at least 17 points .
So what are the odds of that ?
30 .
East Coast bias is alive and well , this being the second straight week NFL fans were force-fed a matchup of dreadful NFC East clubs in prime time .
It wo n't get getter in Week 9 , which will conclude with the Patriots visiting the winless Jets .
31 .
The NFL 's 2020 trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ET .
Election Day will be momentous for other obvious reasons , but it could also be a pivot point for several teams – especially if prominent players like Texans DL J.J. Watt , Chargers DE Melvin Ingram , Washington DE Ryan Kerrigan or Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore find themselves on the move .
32 .
Looking at yet another power rankings mess this week with clubs like the Packers , Titans , Rams and Ravens going down .
But rest assured , Steelers supporters , your boys will remain in the pole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chiefs in Week 4 to win while ranked atop our poll .
If you love talking football , we have the perfect spot for you .
Join our Facebook Group , The Ruling Off the Field , to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders .
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32 things we learned from Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL Week 8 overreactions: Time to ban the NFC East from the playoffs SportsPulse: The NFC East is a joke and somehow will have a team hosting a playoff game this January. Mackenzie Salmon overreacts to the biggest story lines from Week 8 in the NFL. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
The 32 things we learned from Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season:
1. I saw Amir, the third-string barista at my favorite Washington coffee spot, this weekend for the first time in months. I gave him a hard time – I like to give people a hard time – since I assumed he was suffering as a longtime New England fan. His response? "Oh, it's fine – I'm a Tampa Bay Bucs fan now. The Patriots are unwatchable, and Belichick's just trying to cut the whole team anyway."
1a. This certainly says something about Amir's allegiance, but I suspect quite a few more New Englanders might be hopping onto a Buccaneers bandwagon driven by Tom Brady in this darkest autumn of the Patriots Century. And the Pats certainly are borderline unwatchable, QB Cam Newton's fumble with 31 seconds left in what became a 24-21 loss at Buffalo perhaps the final blow to the six-time Super Bowl champs' bid to win a record 12th consecutive AFC East crown.
2. The Patriots have lost four in a row for the first time since 2002 – the only time they failed to make the playoffs when Brady was their primary quarterback.
2a. New England's 15 turnovers in 2020 already match their total for the entire 2019 campaign ... when Brady protected the ball far better than Newton.
3. Now 6-2, the Bills draw closer to their first division title since 1995.
3a. With RBs Devin Singletary (86 yards) and Zack Moss (81) finally performing like a capable tandem, Buffalo churned out a season-high (by 64 yards) 190 rushing yards Sunday – a great sign for a team that's been horrid in this department.
4. Newton wasn't the only prominent QB to end Sunday afternoon on a sour note. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers was strip-sacked on the final play of Green Bay's surprise 28-22 loss to Minnesota – a team that's been ravaged at cornerback and pass rusher this year, theoretically making them an ideal victim for this Pack attack.
5. There were seven TDs scored in the Vikings-Packers game – all four of Minnesota's by RB Dalvin Cook, and all three of Green Bay's by WR Davante Adams.
5a. In fact, Cook scored on each of the Vikings' first four drives, the first time a player had done that in league history.
6. Saints QB Drew Brees threw a pair of TD passes Sunday, establishing a new NFL record with his 560th.
6a. More on this Monday night ... when Brady (559 career TD passes) and the Bucs take on the hapless Giants.
7. New Orleans' overtime win in Chicago vaulted the Saints back into the NFC's projected playoff field while knocking the Bears out of it.
7a. Because apparently ... Tre'Quan Smith > Roquan Smith
8. Still trying to decide how I feel about "octopus" as an NFL term, i.e. the Colts' Jordan Wilkins posted an octopus with a 1-yard TD run capped with his own two-point conversion.
9. But far more impressive than Wilkins' octo-score were the celebrations by Indianapolis teammate Nyheim Hines, who scored twice Sunday and posted a pair of the most spectacular celebratory end-zone flips you'll ever see.
10. The Colts have quietly pulled even with the Titans, now losers of two in a row, for the AFC South lead. The clubs will play twice in the next four weeks.
11. Now 7-0, the Steelers remain the NFL's only undefeated team. Pittsburgh has now matched its 1978 Steel Curtain brethren for the best start in franchise history.
12. However the Ravens (5-2) will kick themselves for losing to the archrival Steelers on a day when Baltimore could have pulled even in the AFC North standings. QB Lamar Jackson turned the ball over a career-worst four times, including his first-ever pick-six, and the Ravens committed nine penalties for 110 yards in a game where they dominated in most aspects ... the scoreboard notwithstanding.
13. However Baltimore's biggest setback was arguably the season-ending loss of stalwart LT Ronnie Stanley to an ankle injury.
14. The Ravens failed to score in the third quarter Sunday, the first time they'd been shut out in any period this season. Their 26 consecutive quarters with points posted to start a season is a new league record.
15. Pittsburgh sacked Jackson four times and now has at least one QB takedown in 64 straight games, now five short of Tampa Bay's all-time record – established in 2003, when Mike Tomlin was a Buccaneers assistant. The Steelers' 30 sacks top the NFL.
16. Speaking of Mike T., let's give him a big hand for his 140th regular-season win. The victory moved Tomlin past his former Buccaneers boss, Tony Dungy, for most ever among Black head coaches.
17. Gotta let Russ cook when he's got no healthy running backs behind him. And Seattle QB Russell Wilson responded with four more TD passes – giving him a league-best 26, one shy of Brady's record through seven games – as the Seahawks improved to 6-1.
18. The Bengals' upset of Tennessee means Cincinnati has already matched its 2019 win total of two.
19. The Raiders are 2-1 in 1 p.m. ET kickoffs on the East Coast this year. Their victory Sunday in Cleveland came almost 40 years after the erstwhile Oakland Raiders upset the Browns 14-12 in the 1980 playoffs during the famous "Red Right 88" game. The Raiders went on to become the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl that season.
20. The Las Vegas Raiders definitely resembled the more physical, all-weather team Sunday in a rainy, blustery game played on the shores of Lake Erie. The Silver and Black outrushed the Browns 208-101 thanks largely to RB Josh Jacobs (31 carries for 128 yards). Put a pin in this game, which could have huge wild-card implications down the line for a pair of clubs each sporting three losses.
21. The Browns are currently the AFC's No. 7 seed. But at 5-3, they're only a half-game ahead of the Raiders and Dolphins.
22. Cleveland has averaged 6.3 points in its trio of 2020 defeats.
23. Browns DE Myles Garrett, who suffered a knee injury in the second quarter Sunday, was held without a sack for the first time since Week 1.
24. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes scorched the Jets for five TD passes Sunday. The Jets have four TD passes ... this season.
25. Chiefs RB Le'Veon Bell, released by the Jets Oct. 13, turned in a performance familiar to NYJ fans. He rushed six times for 7 yards, adding 31 yards on three catches. But his production contributed to a Kansas City offense that outgained New York 496-221.
26. Miami's Jakeem Grant returned a punt 88 yards for a TD, the first in the league this season.
27. Congratulations to Dolphins rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa, who won his first NFL start and also threw his first TD pass since leaving Alabama. Judging by the reaction of his teammates after he squeezed that 3-yard scoring seed to DeVante Parker, Miami players are fully behind Tagovailoa despite the surprising demotion of previous starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.
27a. Tagovailoa was the first left-handed quarterback to start a game in the NFL since 2015, when Kellen Moore did so for the Cowboys.
28. The Fins improved to 4-3 by outlasting the Rams. However those who questioned coach Brian Flores' decision to switch to Tagovailoa will have further fuel for their counterargument. Miami benefited from special teams and defensive TDs on Sunday but was otherwise dominated by L.A. on the stat sheet. The Rams had 31 first downs to the Dolphins' eight, outgained Miami 471-145 and possessed the ball for 13 minutes more. Give credit where it's due, but Tagovailoa (93 yards passing) and Co. can't continue winning like this – especially against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals next week.
29. Win probability strikes again. The Chargers' was 98.8% Sunday, per ESPN. Instead, they squandered a 24-3 third-quarter advantage in Denver, becoming the first club in league history to lose three consecutive games it had led by at least 17 points. So what are the odds of that, nerds?
Teams When Leading by 17+ This Season (Entering SNF):
Chargers: 0-3 (.000)
All Others: 52-4 (.929) pic.twitter.com/EcsCUF5jRe — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 2, 2020
30. East Coast bias is alive and well, this the second straight week NFL fans were force-fed a matchup of dreadful NFC East clubs in prime time. It won't get getter in Week 9, which will conclude with the Patriots visiting the winless Jets.
30a. But the Eagles, now 3-4-1, may have effectively wrapped up their division – no, seriously – by knocking off the Ben DiNucci-led Cowboys 23-9 on Sunday night. Hopefully that means we can start thinking about a flex replacement for Dallas' scheduled Week 15 appearance on "Sunday Night Football."
31. The NFL's 2020 trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Election Day will be momentous for other obvious reasons, but it could also be a pivot point for several teams – especially if prominent players like Texans DL J.J. Watt, Chargers DE Melvin Ingram, Washington DE Ryan Kerrigan or Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore find themselves on the move.
32. Looking at yet another power rankings mess this week with clubs like the Packers, Titans, Rams and Ravens stumbling. But rest assured, Steelers supporters, your boys will remain in the pole position after becoming the first team since the Chiefs in Week 4 to win while ranked atop our poll.
***
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usatoday--2020-11-01--Trump trails Biden by 7 points in final Free Press poll as Michigan race narrows

Two days before the most anticipated presidential election in recent history , President Donald Trump appears to need another last-minute come-from-behind surge to win Michigan with a new Free Press poll showing him 7 percentage points behind Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The poll of 600 likely voters in Tuesday 's election , done by EPIC-MRA of Lansing for the Free Press and its outstate media partners , shows Biden , the former vice president , with the support of 48 % of those surveyed .
That 's the same as in the firm 's previous three statewide polls going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has seen his level of support inch up from the last poll by 2 percentage points to 41 % , suggesting there may be a narrowing of the race as both candidates blitz the state with campaign events and ads in an all-out effort to win .
Biden and former President Barack Obama were in Flint and Detroit on Saturday ; Trump , after visiting Waterford on Friday , was headed to Washington Township in Macomb County on Sunday , and to Traverse City and Grand Rapids on Monday as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania , helped propel Trump to an Electoral College victory and the White House in 2016 as he became the first Republican to win all of those states together since Ronald Reagan in 1984 .
`` People are starting to finally wake up , '' said Dave Demopoulos , a 42-year-old truck driver and Trump supporter in Mount Clemens , who said he is confident Trump will win again .
`` We ca n't just trust what the media is telling us . ''
Four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by as many as 10 points in early October in polls done for the Free Press – closed that gap to 4 points the weekend before the election .
That was equal to that survey 's margin of error , which is the same as this one 's .
Trump ended up defeating Clinton by 10,704 votes in Michigan , or about two-tenths of 1 % , in what was the closest win he had that year .
Given the larger lead for Biden in this poll and others , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in the state all year , a win by Trump in the state would validate his and his supporters ' insistence that the polls have been wrong all along .
It would also prove the resilience of an unorthodox president whose favorability ratings have lagged throughout his first term in office , and who has served during a pandemic that has left the economy shaken and more than 230,000 Americans dead .
No one is eager to count him out , given the experience of 2016 .
In fact , while Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this most recent survey , just 44 % believe Biden will win , compared with 42 % who think the president will again take the state .
That includes 10 % of Biden 's own supporters .
`` I 'm not sure it 's not a reaction to the way Trump came back in 2016 , '' said EPIC-MRA 's pollster , Bernie Porn .
`` There 's the belief he may be able to do it again . ''
`` I think it 's entirely possible that it is tightening up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But not enough that I think Biden 's prospects of winning Michigan are significantly diminished . ''
Some surprises hidden in the findings The survey – which involved a random sample of likely voters contacted between last Sunday and Wednesday – was also largely in line with other independent polls of Michigan released in the last week .
They include a New York Times/Siena College poll that had Biden up 49 % -41 % and an ABC News/Washington Post poll that had Biden up 51 % -44 % .
EPIC-MRA 's previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early October , was almost identical .
But in the latest poll , Trump picked up 2 percentage points from what had been 8 % undecided .
That comes at a time when he and other Republicans have attacked Biden as corrupt , making still-unproven accusations that he was linked to business deals involving his son Hunter in Ukraine and China .
Third-party support in this poll stayed at 5 % , and the level of those who said they were undecided dipped to 6 % .
If more undecideds move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Whether that 's enough to win –as Biden continues to hammer at Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic at a time when Michigan and other Midwestern states are seeing increases in cases and hospitalizations – is another question .
More than 2.3 million absentee ballots have also already been returned , meaning the outcome may be less changeable because of developing circumstances .
A surprisingly high number – 42 % – of those voters who watched the second and final presidential debate on Oct. 22 considered him the winner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationally .
In this survey , 38 % thought Biden won , 8 % considered it a tie and 10 % said neither won .
More : Trump vs. Biden : Here 's how every region of the state plays its part in the race More : Donald Trump campaigned in 2016 on remaking Michigan manufacturing .
Did he deliver ?
Trump also held what appeared to be leads in northern Michigan and in and around Saginaw Bay and the Thumb , key regions that turned out for him four years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -35 % in metro Detroit and 54 % -36 % in the counties immediately outside Wayne , Oakland and Macomb counties .
In west and central Michigan , regions vital for Trump to won , the race was a statistical tie , according the poll .
Trump , however , continued to build on levels of support he needs if he is going to win Michigan again : Among men , for instance , he was leading Biden 47 % -41 % , up from 45 % -43 % last month .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slight lead , 46 % -44 % , compared with Biden 's 46 % -43 % lead among white voters a month ago .
`` He ’ s fulfilled pretty much every promise , '' Demopoulos said .
`` Pretty much everything he said he was going to do , he 's done it .
( Prior to COVID-19 ) the economy was booming , unemployment was way down – I want that to continue . ''
It may not be enough to change the trend What remains problematic for Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough to overcome Biden 's lead , unless they continue to grow quickly .
According to exit polls of Michigan voters taken in 2016 , Trump beat Clinton among men 55 % -41 % , a wide margin that he needed to make up for a 53 % -42 % deficit among women voters overall in that election .
The polls have continued to show Trump lagging with female voters by the same margins and if he ca n't somehow find more support among women – or make up that deficit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same goes for white voters in Michigan , who supported Trump 57 % -36 % according to exit polls in 2016 .
And while he continues to build on his lead over Biden among whites without college degrees , up from 51 % -38 % last month to 54 % -39 % in the new poll , that 's still well below the 62 % -31 % he won from that bloc in 2016 .
And he 's hurting among white voters with college degrees Four years ago , he won among that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has had a clear lead among them in recent polls , winning the bloc 52 % -35 % in the new poll , though as with any subgroup in the poll , the margin of error would be larger than the plus or minus 4 percentage points for the overall sample .
Meanwhile , Biden appeared to be making up ground among Black voters .
Where previous polls had shown lower levels of support than had been expected for the Democratic nominee , with 72 % support and 15 % undecided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a much-more settled voting bloc .
Biden led among African Americans 86 % to 5 % for Trump , with 6 % backing a third-party candidate and 3 % undecided .
In Canton , 53-year-old Angela Byrd , an African American ex-soldier , said while she has reservations about Biden because of his age — he 's 77 , compared to Trump , who is 74 — there was still no question who she was supporting .
`` He ( Trump ) is a liar and he has n't done anything for poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color , '' she said .
Significantly , Biden also continued to lead 56 % -39 % among voters over the age of 65 –a key voting bloc Trump won 51 % -47 % four years ago .
And while Trump had an edge with voters 50-64 , leading 47 % -40 % , Biden had a much larger edge , 53 % -30 % , with voters under the age of 35 .
The two were essentially tied among voters 35-49 , with Biden having a 44 % -43 % edge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts about both Trump and Biden on the part of voters .
For instance , in a series of questions asked of voters , 49 % agreed with Trump 's charge that Biden , a former vice president and U.S. senator from Delaware , has accomplished little in more than four decades in Washington , including 11 % of Biden 's own supporters .
On another question , 50 % agreed that Biden would allow the Democratic Party to pursue policies that are too liberal , compared with 41 % who disagreed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have `` the physical or mental health to be able to handle the difficult job of being president , '' compared with 49 % who disagreed with that statement .
It was just as bad or worse for the president , however .
Nearly two-thirds , 62 % , said Trump `` does n't have the temperament to be commander-in-chief , including 17 % of his own supporters , compared with 36 % who disagreed .
A clear majority , 57 % , also agreed with the statement , `` Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divide it , '' compared with just 39 % who disagreed .
And Trump scored even worse on the question of whether he has the physical or mental health to be president with 48 % agreeing he does n't and 48 % saying he does .
Voters also have more trust in Biden on handling the COVID-19 virus , with 54 % of respondents disagreeing with the statement , often made by Trump , that the former vice president would go too far in responding to the threat , compared with 39 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump `` will seriously hurt the health of Americans by not going far enough in his response to the coronavirus , '' compared with 42 % who disagreed .
Finally , voters were asked about Trump 's visit to Muskegon two weeks ago and comments he made there about Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , whom he criticized as having closed down the state in response to COVID-19 , even though many of the restrictions had already been lifted .
When the crowd began chanting `` lock her up , '' Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He also said he “ guessed ” that she had been threatened by a group of militia-linked men accused of plotting to kidnap her .
Asked whether they thought Trump 's comments were appropriate , 68 % said they were not — including nearly a third , 32 % , of Trump 's own supporters in the election .
Follow Todd Spangler on Twitter @ tsspangler .
Read more onMichigan politics and sign up for ourelections newsletter .

Trump trails Biden by 7 points in final Free Press poll as Michigan race narrows
Show Caption Hide Caption First-time voters are going to the polls by the millions in 2020 The 2020 election is motivating first-time voters of all ages and walks of life to cast their ballots. USA TODAY
Two days before the most anticipated presidential election in recent history, President Donald Trump appears to need another last-minute come-from-behind surge to win Michigan with a new Free Press poll showing him 7 percentage points behind Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The poll of 600 likely voters in Tuesday's election, done by EPIC-MRA of Lansing for the Free Press and its outstate media partners, shows Biden, the former vice president, with the support of 48% of those surveyed. That's the same as in the firm's previous three statewide polls going back through September.
Trump, meanwhile, has seen his level of support inch up from the last poll by 2 percentage points to 41%, suggesting there may be a narrowing of the race as both candidates blitz the state with campaign events and ads in an all-out effort to win. Biden and former President Barack Obama were in Flint and Detroit on Saturday; Trump, after visiting Waterford on Friday, was headed to Washington Township in Macomb County on Sunday, and to Traverse City and Grand Rapids on Monday as part of an aggressive last day of campaigning.
Michigan, along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, helped propel Trump to an Electoral College victory and the White House in 2016 as he became the first Republican to win all of those states together since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
"People are starting to finally wake up," said Dave Demopoulos, a 42-year-old truck driver and Trump supporter in Mount Clemens, who said he is confident Trump will win again. "We can't just trust what the media is telling us."
Four years ago, Trump – who had trailed Clinton by as many as 10 points in early October in polls done for the Free Press – closed that gap to 4 points the weekend before the election. That was equal to that survey's margin of error, which is the same as this one's.
Trump ended up defeating Clinton by 10,704 votes in Michigan, or about two-tenths of 1%, in what was the closest win he had that year.
Given the larger lead for Biden in this poll and others, as well as the consistent lead Biden has held over Trump in the state all year, a win by Trump in the state would validate his and his supporters' insistence that the polls have been wrong all along. It would also prove the resilience of an unorthodox president whose favorability ratings have lagged throughout his first term in office, and who has served during a pandemic that has left the economy shaken and more than 230,000 Americans dead.
No one is eager to count him out, given the experience of 2016.
In fact, while Biden leads Trump 48%-41% in this most recent survey, just 44% believe Biden will win, compared with 42% who think the president will again take the state. That includes 10% of Biden's own supporters.
"I'm not sure it's not a reaction to the way Trump came back in 2016," said EPIC-MRA's pollster, Bernie Porn. "There's the belief he may be able to do it again."
"I think it's entirely possible that it is tightening up a little bit," Porn said. "But not enough that I think Biden's prospects of winning Michigan are significantly diminished."
Some surprises hidden in the findings
The survey – which involved a random sample of likely voters contacted between last Sunday and Wednesday – was also largely in line with other independent polls of Michigan released in the last week. They include a New York Times/Siena College poll that had Biden up 49%-41% and an ABC News/Washington Post poll that had Biden up 51%-44%.
EPIC-MRA's previous poll for the Free Press, done in early October, was almost identical. But in the latest poll, Trump picked up 2 percentage points from what had been 8% undecided. That comes at a time when he and other Republicans have attacked Biden as corrupt, making still-unproven accusations that he was linked to business deals involving his son Hunter in Ukraine and China.
Third-party support in this poll stayed at 5%, and the level of those who said they were undecided dipped to 6%. If more undecideds move to Trump, it would further narrow the race.
Whether that's enough to win –as Biden continues to hammer at Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic at a time when Michigan and other Midwestern states are seeing increases in cases and hospitalizations – is another question. More than 2.3 million absentee ballots have also already been returned, meaning the outcome may be less changeable because of developing circumstances.
A surprisingly high number – 42% – of those voters who watched the second and final presidential debate on Oct. 22 considered him the winner. Other pollsters found higher marks for Biden nationally. In this survey, 38% thought Biden won, 8% considered it a tie and 10% said neither won.
More: Trump vs. Biden: Here's how every region of the state plays its part in the race
More: Donald Trump campaigned in 2016 on remaking Michigan manufacturing. Did he deliver?
Trump also held what appeared to be leads in northern Michigan and in and around Saginaw Bay and the Thumb, key regions that turned out for him four years ago. He continued to trail, 51%-35% in metro Detroit and 54%-36% in the counties immediately outside Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. In west and central Michigan, regions vital for Trump to won, the race was a statistical tie, according the poll.
Trump, however, continued to build on levels of support he needs if he is going to win Michigan again: Among men, for instance, he was leading Biden 47%-41%, up from 45%-43% last month. And among white voters overall, Trump had a slight lead, 46%-44%, compared with Biden's 46%-43% lead among white voters a month ago.
"He’s fulfilled pretty much every promise," Demopoulos said. "Pretty much everything he said he was going to do, he's done it. (Prior to COVID-19) the economy was booming, unemployment was way down – I want that to continue."
It may not be enough to change the trend
What remains problematic for Trump is that those levels of support may not be enough to overcome Biden's lead, unless they continue to grow quickly.
According to exit polls of Michigan voters taken in 2016, Trump beat Clinton among men 55%-41%, a wide margin that he needed to make up for a 53%-42% deficit among women voters overall in that election. The polls have continued to show Trump lagging with female voters by the same margins and if he can't somehow find more support among women – or make up that deficit with men – he will lose.
The same goes for white voters in Michigan, who supported Trump 57%-36% according to exit polls in 2016. And while he continues to build on his lead over Biden among whites without college degrees, up from 51%-38% last month to 54%-39% in the new poll, that's still well below the 62%-31% he won from that bloc in 2016.
And he's hurting among white voters with college degrees
Four years ago, he won among that group 51%-43%. But Biden has had a clear lead among them in recent polls, winning the bloc 52%-35% in the new poll, though as with any subgroup in the poll, the margin of error would be larger than the plus or minus 4 percentage points for the overall sample.
Biden building edge among Blacks, older voters
Meanwhile, Biden appeared to be making up ground among Black voters. Where previous polls had shown lower levels of support than had been expected for the Democratic nominee, with 72% support and 15% undecided a month ago, this latest poll showed a much-more settled voting bloc. Biden led among African Americans 86% to 5% for Trump, with 6% backing a third-party candidate and 3% undecided.
In Canton, 53-year-old Angela Byrd, an African American ex-soldier, said while she has reservations about Biden because of his age — he's 77, compared to Trump, who is 74 — there was still no question who she was supporting.
"He (Trump) is a liar and he hasn't done anything for poor people or Black people or people of color," she said.
Significantly, Biden also continued to lead 56%-39% among voters over the age of 65 –a key voting bloc Trump won 51%-47% four years ago. And while Trump had an edge with voters 50-64, leading 47%-40%, Biden had a much larger edge, 53%-30%, with voters under the age of 35. The two were essentially tied among voters 35-49, with Biden having a 44%-43% edge.
Questions about both candidates
But there seem to be plenty of doubts about both Trump and Biden on the part of voters.
For instance, in a series of questions asked of voters, 49% agreed with Trump's charge that Biden, a former vice president and U.S. senator from Delaware, has accomplished little in more than four decades in Washington, including 11% of Biden's own supporters.
Forty-four percent disagreed with the statement.
On another question, 50% agreed that Biden would allow the Democratic Party to pursue policies that are too liberal, compared with 41% who disagreed. And 45% agreed that Biden doesn't have "the physical or mental health to be able to handle the difficult job of being president," compared with 49% who disagreed with that statement.
It was just as bad or worse for the president, however.
Nearly two-thirds, 62%, said Trump "doesn't have the temperament to be commander-in-chief, including 17% of his own supporters, compared with 36% who disagreed. A clear majority, 57%, also agreed with the statement, "Instead of uniting the country, Donald Trump will divide it," compared with just 39% who disagreed.
And Trump scored even worse on the question of whether he has the physical or mental health to be president with 48% agreeing he doesn't and 48% saying he does.
Obama urges voters to turn out to support Biden Joe Biden received a little extra help Saturday from former US President Barack Obama and R&B icon Stevie Wonder when he tried to get Michigan voters to sign, seal and deliver their ballots. (Oct. 31) AP
Voters also have more trust in Biden on handling the COVID-19 virus, with 54% of respondents disagreeing with the statement, often made by Trump, that the former vice president would go too far in responding to the threat, compared with 39% who agreed.
But 54% agreed that Trump "will seriously hurt the health of Americans by not going far enough in his response to the coronavirus," compared with 42% who disagreed.
Finally, voters were asked about Trump's visit to Muskegon two weeks ago and comments he made there about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whom he criticized as having closed down the state in response to COVID-19, even though many of the restrictions had already been lifted.
When the crowd began chanting "lock her up," Trump said, "lock 'em all up." He also said he “guessed” that she had been threatened by a group of militia-linked men accused of plotting to kidnap her.
Asked whether they thought Trump's comments were appropriate, 68% said they were not — including nearly a third, 32%, of Trump's own supporters in the election.
Follow Todd Spangler on Twitter @tsspangler. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.


usatoday--2020-11-01--Texas court rejects bid to toss out 127,000 drive-thru votes, but fight isn't over

AUSTIN , Texas – The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday rejected , without comment , a bid by three Republican candidates and a GOP activist to toss out almost 127,000 votes cast in drive-thru lanes in the emerging Democratic stronghold of Harris County .
The votes , however , are not yet safe to count after polls close Tuesday night .
A federal judge will hold an emergency hearing Monday morning – less than 21 hours before polls open on Election Day – to hear arguments on a similar challenge filed by the same group of Republicans , who argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so every vote cast from cars during the early voting period should be tossed out as illegal .
At the same hearing , U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen will weigh a request by Democratic organizations and the party ’ s U.S. Senate candidate , MJ Hegar , to join the case in defense of drive-thru voting — and the 126,911 votes cast that way .
North Carolina Board of Elections:97 % of ballots to be tallied and reported on election night The Democrats urged Hanen to reject the GOP lawsuit , filed two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months after Harris County announced plans for drive-thru voting , arguing that the lawsuit was filed too late and that stepping in now would create mass confusion and disenfranchise voters whose ballots were legally cast .
“ Federal courts should tread carefully before altering a state ’ s elections procedures in the midst of an election , ” they told Hanen , appointed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002 .
The challenges were brought by state Rep. Steve Toth , R-The Woodlands , who is running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate for district judge in Harris County ; GOP congressional candidate Wendell Champion ; and prominent Republican activist Steven Hotze .
The Republicans argue that drive-thru voting is illegal because it was not authorized by the Texas Legislature , damaging the credibility of election results and diluting the impact of votes cast legally .
“ Allowing an illegal voting scheme that invites corruption and fraud is tantamount to voter suppression because legal votes will be nullified by illegal votes , ” they told Hanen .
The Republicans turned first to the Texas Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shut down as an illegal expansion of curbside voting , which is reserved for voters who have an illness or disability that could put them at risk if forced to enter a polling place .
The all-Republican court rejected that petition on Oct. 22 , also without comment , although Justice John Devine filed a dissenting opinion that criticized drive-thru voting as an apparent violation of state election law .
Days later , the four Republicans were back , this time asking the state ’ s highest civil court to throw out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Texas court to act , the four also filed a federal lawsuit last week arguing that Harris County is in violation of the U.S. Constitution ’ s elections clause , which requires state legislatures to set the time , place and manner of elections for the U.S. House and Senate .
The federal petition also included another claim that was not part of the state Supreme Court petition — that nine of the 10 drive-thru polling sites were placed in heavily Democratic areas in violation of the Constitution ’ s equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic clerk for Harris County , has argued in court briefs that drive-thru voting is nothing like curbside voting , in which a poll worker brings an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant voting machine to a vehicle after getting a request for help .
Drive-thru voting follows the same procedures as in-person voting at a typical polling station , except that it is done from inside a vehicle after pulling into a tent , Hollins argued , noting that voters still must present photo ID and sign a voting roster before being handed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs , the state ’ s top elections officer , approved drive-thru voting before it was adopted by Harris County , Hollins said .
Also Sunday , state Sen. Carol Alvarado , D-Houston , urged voters who used a drive-in polling place to “ protect your vote ” by taking advantage of free legal help to intervene in the federal lawsuit .
And Joe Straus , the former Republican speaker of the Texas House , criticized the lawsuits by members of his party as “ patently wrong.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the core ideals of this country should want more votes counted and more voices heard , ” he said via Twitter .
“ The Republican Party needs to return to a place where we win with ideas and persuasion rather than trying to intimidate or silence our fellow citizens.
” Live election updates : Trump complains of cold in Michigan ; White House says Fauci part of 'swamp '

Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman

Texas court rejects bid to toss out 127,000 drive-thru votes, but fight isn’t over
Show Caption Hide Caption First-time voters are going to the polls by the millions in 2020 The 2020 election is motivating first-time voters of all ages and walks of life to cast their ballots. USA TODAY
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday rejected, without comment, a bid by three Republican candidates and a GOP activist to toss out almost 127,000 votes cast in drive-thru lanes in the emerging Democratic stronghold of Harris County.
The votes, however, are not yet safe to count after polls close Tuesday night.
A federal judge will hold an emergency hearing Monday morning – less than 21 hours before polls open on Election Day – to hear arguments on a similar challenge filed by the same group of Republicans, who argue that state law prohibits drive-thru voting, so every vote cast from cars during the early voting period should be tossed out as illegal.
At the same hearing, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen will weigh a request by Democratic organizations and the party’s U.S. Senate candidate, MJ Hegar, to join the case in defense of drive-thru voting — and the 126,911 votes cast that way.
North Carolina Board of Elections: 97% of ballots to be tallied and reported on election night
Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Democrats urged Hanen to reject the GOP lawsuit, filed two weeks after early voting had begun and three months after Harris County announced plans for drive-thru voting, arguing that the lawsuit was filed too late and that stepping in now would create mass confusion and disenfranchise voters whose ballots were legally cast.
“Federal courts should tread carefully before altering a state’s elections procedures in the midst of an election,” they told Hanen, appointed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002.
BREAKING: Texas Supreme Court DENIES petition seeking to toss out almost 127,000 Harris County votes cast in drive-thru lanes.
Denial is without comment. — Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) November 1, 2020
The challenges were brought by state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, who is running for re-election; Sharon Hemphill, a GOP candidate for district judge in Harris County; GOP congressional candidate Wendell Champion; and prominent Republican activist Steven Hotze.
The Republicans argue that drive-thru voting is illegal because it was not authorized by the Texas Legislature, damaging the credibility of election results and diluting the impact of votes cast legally.
“Allowing an illegal voting scheme that invites corruption and fraud is tantamount to voter suppression because legal votes will be nullified by illegal votes,” they told Hanen.
The Republicans turned first to the Texas Supreme Court, arguing that drive-thru voting should be shut down as an illegal expansion of curbside voting, which is reserved for voters who have an illness or disability that could put them at risk if forced to enter a polling place.
The all-Republican court rejected that petition on Oct. 22, also without comment, although Justice John Devine filed a dissenting opinion that criticized drive-thru voting as an apparent violation of state election law.
Days later, the four Republicans were back, this time asking the state’s highest civil court to throw out ballots cast from cars.
While waiting for the Texas court to act, the four also filed a federal lawsuit last week arguing that Harris County is in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s elections clause, which requires state legislatures to set the time, place and manner of elections for the U.S. House and Senate.
The federal petition also included another claim that was not part of the state Supreme Court petition — that nine of the 10 drive-thru polling sites were placed in heavily Democratic areas in violation of the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
Chris Hollins, the Democratic clerk for Harris County, has argued in court briefs that drive-thru voting is nothing like curbside voting, in which a poll worker brings an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant voting machine to a vehicle after getting a request for help.
Drive-thru voting follows the same procedures as in-person voting at a typical polling station, except that it is done from inside a vehicle after pulling into a tent, Hollins argued, noting that voters still must present photo ID and sign a voting roster before being handed a sanitized voting machine.
The office of Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs, the state’s top elections officer, approved drive-thru voting before it was adopted by Harris County, Hollins said.
Also Sunday, state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, urged voters who used a drive-in polling place to “protect your vote” by taking advantage of free legal help to intervene in the federal lawsuit.
And Joe Straus, the former Republican speaker of the Texas House, criticized the lawsuits by members of his party as “patently wrong.”
“All of us who believe in the core ideals of this country should want more votes counted and more voices heard,” he said via Twitter. “The Republican Party needs to return to a place where we win with ideas and persuasion rather than trying to intimidate or silence our fellow citizens.”
Follow reporter Chuck Lindell on Twitter: @chucklindell
Live election updates: Trump complains of cold in Michigan; White House says Fauci part of 'swamp'
More: More conservative Supreme Court faces major dispute pitting religious freedom against LGBTQ rights


usatoday--2020-11-01--Voting across the US live updates: Texas court rejects GOP petition; North Carolina voting rights ma

Just two days from Nov. 3 , at least 93 million people have already voted – about two-thirds of the total votes counted in the 2016 general election , according to Michael McDonald , a professor at the University of Florida who runs the U.S .
Elections Project .
Early , in-person voting ended Saturday in five states and was scheduled to end Sunday in Florida , New York and Wisconsin .
A voting rights protest in North Carolina devolved into a clash with police and arrests were made .
Historic early vote totals in Texas have Democrats dreaming big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women working at polling sites Tuesday .
Many older people are declining the volunteer work because of COVID-19 and other concerns , so younger women are filling the void .
As Election Day approaches , USA TODAY is keeping track of what 's happening as voters around the country cast ballots .
Here are some important headlines : • A peaceful protest to get out the vote in Graham , North Carolina , turned chaotic Saturday after local police twice pepper sprayed marchers .
• A federal judge has ordered the U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to ensure that ballots are delivered by Election Day in 22 districts in more than a dozen states where deliveries are lagging .
• From pandemic fears to complex ID requirements to lack of nearby polling places , young voters are facing an unprecedented array of obstacles .
But despite suppression tactics , young voters are `` raising hell '' with historic early voting turnout .
• Voting is widely billed as a patriotic duty , but it can be a confusing one , filled with unfamiliar rules and terms .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
• Know your voting rights : If you encounter intimidation at the polls on Election Day , here 's what to do .
Legal battles are happening on a massive scale : A record-setting number of lawsuits have been filed this year , and even more are likely after the polls close .
More than 230 election-related federal lawsuits were filed from Jan. 1 to Oct. 23 , higher than any of the past three presidential election years during the same time period , a USA TODAY analysis of federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday rejected a Republican petition to discard almost 127,000 votes cast via drive-through sites in Harris County , where Houston is located .
Sunday 's ruling might not stand as the final word on the issue .
A federal court judge has scheduled a hearing Monday on a separate case also addressing whether drive-through voting violates any laws .
The Texas Secretary of State validated the practice as legal earlier this year .
Republicans in Harris County , the third-most populous in the country , argued that drive-through voting constituted an illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only available to people with disabilities .
After a successful run of the system during a July primary runoff , Houston set up 10 drive-through sites for the general election .
A peaceful protest to get out the vote in Graham , North Carolina , turned chaotic Saturday after local police twice pepper-sprayed marchers .
`` This incident is unacceptable , '' tweeted North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper .
`` Peaceful demonstrators should be able to have their voices heard and voter intimidation in any form can not be tolerated . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived on foot at the county courthouse to speak near a polling location about voting rights , officers with the Graham Police Department fired pepper spray while telling the civil rights group to get out of the street .
Police said participants were blocking the roadway without authorization .
Eight were arrested .
A reporter with the Burlington Times-News , part of the USA TODAY Network , who was at the scene and was also pepper-sprayed , did not hear any advance warning before the police action .
Police said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , not at protesters .
Others said children and a woman on an electric scooter were among those hit by the pepper spray .
`` With my own eyes , I saw someone from the Sheriff ’ s Office attack someone in one of those electric scooters '' with pepper spray , said local attorney Jamie Paulen said .
“ That person wasn ’ t doing anything . ''
A tussle on stage ensued as officers tried to confiscate the audio equipment and speakers .
A dozen or more people were arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thousands Officials in Butler County , Pennsylvania – perhaps the most critical of battleground states in the election – are scrambling to get mail ballots to potentially thousands of voters who requested them and did not receive them .
County call centers and email addresses set up to handle elections issues were flooded last week with messages , leading officials to conclude a large number of ballots had been lost and prompting them to make last-ditch efforts to deliver them .
“ Our main focus – because it ’ s too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to make sure we get these people their ballots , ” Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said .
Nearly 40,000 registered voters in Butler County requested mail ballots , but only 24 % of them have been returned to the county , by far the lowest rate among the state ’ s 67 counties .
The county with the next-lowest return rate , Fayette , has received 50 % of requested ballots .
The U.S .
Postal Service has been asked to immediately investigate .
A USPS spokesperson said the agency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues.
” Some New Orleans polling sites may still be dark Tuesday after Hurricane Zeta New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said as many as 11 precincts could still be without power Tuesday after Hurricane Zeta knocked out electricity to large parts of the state Wednesday , which could impact the election .
The Democratic mayor has been engaged in a war of words with Louisiana 's Republican secretary of state , Kyle Ardoin , over who 's responsible for supplying generators to polling sites that have n't regained electricity .
Ardoin said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power would receive generators for Election Day , but it did not specify whether that would be a state or local responsibility .
Zeta initially left about 2.5 million homes and businesses without electricity , the majority in the southeastern U.S. , but most of them have gotten power back .
Joe Biden supporter in New Jersey finds threatening flier on windshield A Joe Biden supporter in Spring Lake , New Jersey , filed a complaint with police after finding what he considers a threatening flier on the windshield of his car Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Biden ’ ’ sign on the rear window .
On the front of the flier was a firing-range outline of a human body riddled with bullet holes , said John Clark , 73 , who said he served in Vietnam from 1970 to '71 .
On the back of the flier , someone had printed in all capital letters , “ I AM A VET FOR TRUMP.
’ ’ “ People don ’ t go around providing bullet-riddled body profiles – you don ’ t hand them out as party favors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview Saturday .
“ I consider it a threat , a serious threat , and I consider it voter intimidation.
’ ’ A record number of ballots cast during the early voting period in Texas has Democrats optimistic the party could make inroads in the rock-solid Republican state .
More people voted early this year in Texas than voted in the entire 2016 presidential election , including on Election Day .
Recent polling has shown President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden running neck-and-neck in Texas , and the nonpartisan Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site , moved the state from `` lean Republican '' to `` toss up . ''
Still , Democrats ca n't get too comfortable .
`` We don ’ t have a whole lot of experience with Texas as a battleground state , '' wrote Amy Walter , a Cook Political Report staff writer .
`` Neither do national pollsters . ''
The country needs poll workers .
Young women are stepping up .
Across the country , retired women – who experts estimate have made up the bulk of poll workers – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal work that has long been critical to running America ’ s decentralized election system .
Age data reported for 53 % of poll workers in 2016 showed that 56 % were older than 60 .
There is no comprehensive data on the gender of poll workers , but researchers believe women have led the charge .
This year , some election groups have warned of a growing shortage of poll workers , and long lines during the primaries in states such as Georgia and Wisconsin put a spotlight on their absence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mantle .
Read more here .
A historical exhibit featuring a replica of the noose used in Missouri ’ s last legal hanging drew fire from Democrats who said its presence near polls amounted to racist “ voter intimidation.
” The exhibit in the Stone County Courthouse , which also features other artifacts and newspaper clippings about the 1937 execution of Roscoe Jackson , a white man convicted of murder , first drew notice more than a week ago .
A voter who found the display offensive took a photo and provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Democratic Party officials .
Democratic officials in turn provided the photo to news outlets Friday and released multiple statements demanding the noose 's removal .
Mark Maples , Stone County ’ s presiding commissioner , said the noose is part of a collection of items from a historic event that happened right outside the courthouse .
It has been covered by a brown sheet of paper , which he said would remain through Election Day .
“ It never once entered our minds as an intimidation issue , ” Maples said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that way.
” Postal and law enforcement officials are investigating after four dozen mail-in ballots were found undelivered at a post office in Florida .
U.S .
Postal Service Office investigators said Saturday that they found six completed ballots and 42 blank ballots among piles of undelivered mail in a post office near Homestead on the Florida peninsula ’ s southern tip .
Video taken by a postal worker shows they had been sitting there for more than a week .
Miami-Dade County elections officials said 18 of the affected voters have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting site or through a replacement mail-in ballot .
The department has received the six completed ballots and is contacting the remaining 24 voters to help them get their ballots returned by the 7 p.m. Tuesday deadline .
The investigation was launched after Florida House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee tweeted video taken by a postal worker of the piles of undelivered mail .
Disinformation tactics used to mislead voters are continuing and evolving just days before the presidential election .
What role disinformation may play on Election Day in Michigan isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years since the last presidential election , questions still linger about how social media changes what happens in the voting booth .
Some strategies from 2016 seem to be continuing , including targeting minority groups with messages meant to discourage them from voting .
After the 2016 presidential election in Michigan , proof of Russia ’ s deliberate attempt to mislead U.S. voters through a coordinated disinformation campaign on social media began to emerge .
Michigan was one of nine states that two Russian agents visited in June 2014 as part of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Committee report on Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Read more here .
Black voters could make all the difference in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is a top prize for President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden , and some activists say Black voters could prove crucial to deciding who wins the presidential race and earns the state 's 20 electoral votes .
Organizers expect social unrest , the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on communities of color and the renewed national focus on civil rights for Black Americans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the polls in Pennsylvania than in 2016 .
`` There 's a lot of energy out there , ’ '' said Stephanie Young , chief officer for communications and culture for When We All Vote , a nonprofit civic engagement group launched in 2018 by Michelle Obama , Tom Hanks , Lin-Manuel Miranda and others .
`` All of the circumstances that we 've been faced with this year have really created a more informed and more passionate and a more engaged electorate . ''
To activate those voters , groups are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , running phone banks from home , setting up voter information booths at outdoor events and leading caravans through Black neighborhoods .
Election problems : What to keep in mind This cheat sheet from Columbia Journalism Review offers tips for media organizations reporting on Election 2020 that are a good reminder of what to expect on Election Day .
• Voting problems are n't failures .
They happen every year and , as CJR notes , hiccups such as voting machines not working or polling places opening late do n't mean anything is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , are significant .
CJR recommends the media scrutinize areas that have a history of voter suppression or obstructing minority voters , calling out Georgia as a place to monitor .
• Do n't expect a winner on Election Night .
This year is different because mail-in ballots could be as high as 30 % .
Previously , that number was 3 % -5 % .
It will take a while to tally .
• Seriously , expect to wait .
State vote certification deadlines differ and do n't have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 8 .
Additionally , the Electoral College doesn ’ t meet until Dec. 14 .
Headlines from elsewhere and resources on voting • From ProPublica : Their Electionland project goes deep on issues that can affect eligible voters ' ability to cast a ballot .
• From Pew/Stateline : The Barriers to the Ballot Box project takes on how changes to polling places impact communities .
• Ballotopedia : Resources and guides to not just the election , but also voting .
• From the Associated Press : More voting headlines that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure your mail-in ballot is counted and not discarded .
🗳 USA TODAY 's Voter Guide has everything you need on registering to vote , when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues .
📧For updates to your inbox , subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .

John Bacon, Grace Hauck and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY

Voting across the US live updates: Texas court rejects GOP petition; North Carolina voting rights marchers pepper-sprayed; 93M have voted
Show Caption Hide Caption How Americans feel about the election process - States of America Polls reveal whether Americans feel their vote is truly being counted as candidates make a last-minute sprint to get votes. States of America, USA TODAY
Just two days from Nov. 3, at least 93 million people have already voted – about two-thirds of the total votes counted in the 2016 general election, according to Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who runs the U.S. Elections Project.
Early, in-person voting ended Saturday in five states and was scheduled to end Sunday in Florida, New York and Wisconsin. A voting rights protest in North Carolina devolved into a clash with police and arrests were made. Historic early vote totals in Texas have Democrats dreaming big.
FOLLOW MONDAY'S UPDATES: More news on voting around the US
Look for an increase in younger women working at polling sites Tuesday. Many older people are declining the volunteer work because of COVID-19 and other concerns, so younger women are filling the void.
As Election Day approaches, USA TODAY is keeping track of what's happening as voters around the country cast ballots. Here are some important headlines:
A peaceful protest to get out the vote in Graham, North Carolina, turned chaotic Saturday after local police twice pepper sprayed marchers.
in Graham, North Carolina, turned chaotic Saturday after local police twice pepper sprayed marchers. A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Postal Service to implement "extraordinary measures" to ensure that ballots are delivered by Election Day in 22 districts in more than a dozen states where deliveries are lagging.
to implement "extraordinary measures" to ensure that ballots are delivered by Election Day in 22 districts in more than a dozen states where deliveries are lagging. From pandemic fears to complex ID requirements to lack of nearby polling places, young voters are facing an unprecedented array of obstacles. But despite suppression tactics, young voters are "raising hell" with historic early voting turnout.
with historic early voting turnout. Voting is widely billed as a patriotic duty, but it can be a confusing one , filled with unfamiliar rules and terms. Here are some important terms to brush up on.
, filled with unfamiliar rules and terms. Here are some important terms to brush up on. Know your voting rights: If you encounter intimidation at the polls on Election Day, here's what to do.
Legal battles are happening on a massive scale: A record-setting number of lawsuits have been filed this year, and even more are likely after the polls close. More than 230 election-related federal lawsuits were filed from Jan. 1 to Oct. 23, higher than any of the past three presidential election years during the same time period, a USA TODAY analysis of federal court data found.
The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday rejected a Republican petition to discard almost 127,000 votes cast via drive-through sites in Harris County, where Houston is located.
Sunday's ruling might not stand as the final word on the issue. A federal court judge has scheduled a hearing Monday on a separate case also addressing whether drive-through voting violates any laws. The Texas Secretary of State validated the practice as legal earlier this year.
Republicans in Harris County, the third-most populous in the country, argued that drive-through voting constituted an illegal expansion of curbside voting, which is only available to people with disabilities. After a successful run of the system during a July primary runoff, Houston set up 10 drive-through sites for the general election.
Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Police pepper-spray voting rights marchers in North Carolina
A peaceful protest to get out the vote in Graham, North Carolina, turned chaotic Saturday after local police twice pepper-sprayed marchers.
"This incident is unacceptable," tweeted North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. "Peaceful demonstrators should be able to have their voices heard and voter intimidation in any form cannot be tolerated."
As a crowd of about 200 people arrived on foot at the county courthouse to speak near a polling location about voting rights, officers with the Graham Police Department fired pepper spray while telling the civil rights group to get out of the street. Police said participants were blocking the roadway without authorization. Eight were arrested.
A reporter with the Burlington Times-News, part of the USA TODAY Network, who was at the scene and was also pepper-sprayed, did not hear any advance warning before the police action.
Police said in a statement that pepper spray was fired onto the ground, not at protesters. Others said children and a woman on an electric scooter were among those hit by the pepper spray.
"With my own eyes, I saw someone from the Sheriff’s Office attack someone in one of those electric scooters'' with pepper spray, said local attorney Jamie Paulen said. “That person wasn’t doing anything."
A tussle on stage ensued as officers tried to confiscate the audio equipment and speakers. A dozen or more people were arrested.
– Dean-Paul Stephens and Rachel Berry, Times-News
Officials in Butler County, Pennsylvania – perhaps the most critical of battleground states in the election – are scrambling to get mail ballots to potentially thousands of voters who requested them and did not receive them.
County call centers and email addresses set up to handle elections issues were flooded last week with messages, leading officials to conclude a large number of ballots had been lost and prompting them to make last-ditch efforts to deliver them.
“Our main focus – because it’s too late now to worry about this – we need to make sure we get these people their ballots,” Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said.
Nearly 40,000 registered voters in Butler County requested mail ballots, but only 24% of them have been returned to the county, by far the lowest rate among the state’s 67 counties. The county with the next-lowest return rate, Fayette, has received 50% of requested ballots.
The U.S. Postal Service has been asked to immediately investigate. A USPS spokesperson said the agency is “unaware of any significant delays or issues.”
– Jamie Martines, Spotlight PA
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said as many as 11 precincts could still be without power Tuesday after Hurricane Zeta knocked out electricity to large parts of the state Wednesday, which could impact the election.
The Democratic mayor has been engaged in a war of words with Louisiana's Republican secretary of state, Kyle Ardoin, over who's responsible for supplying generators to polling sites that haven't regained electricity. Ardoin said in a statement Saturday that polling places without power would receive generators for Election Day, but it did not specify whether that would be a state or local responsibility.
Zeta initially left about 2.5 million homes and businesses without electricity, the majority in the southeastern U.S., but most of them have gotten power back.
A Joe Biden supporter in Spring Lake, New Jersey, filed a complaint with police after finding what he considers a threatening flier on the windshield of his car Friday after he parked with a “Veterans for Biden’’ sign on the rear window.
On the front of the flier was a firing-range outline of a human body riddled with bullet holes, said John Clark, 73, who said he served in Vietnam from 1970 to '71. On the back of the flier, someone had printed in all capital letters, “I AM A VET FOR TRUMP.’’
“People don’t go around providing bullet-riddled body profiles – you don’t hand them out as party favors,’’ Clark said in a phone interview Saturday. “I consider it a threat, a serious threat, and I consider it voter intimidation.’’
– Kathleen Hopkins, Asbury Park Press
A record number of ballots cast during the early voting period in Texas has Democrats optimistic the party could make inroads in the rock-solid Republican state. More people voted early this year in Texas than voted in the entire 2016 presidential election, including on Election Day. Recent polling has shown President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden running neck-and-neck in Texas, and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, a leading election forecasting site, moved the state from "lean Republican" to "toss up." Still, Democrats can't get too comfortable.
"We don’t have a whole lot of experience with Texas as a battleground state," wrote Amy Walter, a Cook Political Report staff writer. "Neither do national pollsters."
– Madlin Mekelburg and Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman
Across the country, retired women – who experts estimate have made up the bulk of poll workers – are taking a step back from the seasonal work that has long been critical to running America’s decentralized election system. Age data reported for 53% of poll workers in 2016 showed that 56% were older than 60. There is no comprehensive data on the gender of poll workers, but researchers believe women have led the charge.
This year, some election groups have warned of a growing shortage of poll workers, and long lines during the primaries in states such as Georgia and Wisconsin put a spotlight on their absence. Young women have begun to take up the mantle. Read more here.
– Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th
A historical exhibit featuring a replica of the noose used in Missouri’s last legal hanging drew fire from Democrats who said its presence near polls amounted to racist “voter intimidation.” The exhibit in the Stone County Courthouse, which also features other artifacts and newspaper clippings about the 1937 execution of Roscoe Jackson, a white man convicted of murder, first drew notice more than a week ago.
A voter who found the display offensive took a photo and provided it to federal civil rights enforcement and state Democratic Party officials. Democratic officials in turn provided the photo to news outlets Friday and released multiple statements demanding the noose's removal. Mark Maples, Stone County’s presiding commissioner, said the noose is part of a collection of items from a historic event that happened right outside the courthouse. It has been covered by a brown sheet of paper, which he said would remain through Election Day.
“It never once entered our minds as an intimidation issue,” Maples said. “We just don’t think that way.”
– Austin Huguelet, Springfield News-Leader
Postal and law enforcement officials are investigating after four dozen mail-in ballots were found undelivered at a post office in Florida. U.S. Postal Service Office investigators said Saturday that they found six completed ballots and 42 blank ballots among piles of undelivered mail in a post office near Homestead on the Florida peninsula’s southern tip. Video taken by a postal worker shows they had been sitting there for more than a week.
Miami-Dade County elections officials said 18 of the affected voters have already cast ballots in person at an early voting site or through a replacement mail-in ballot. The department has received the six completed ballots and is contacting the remaining 24 voters to help them get their ballots returned by the 7 p.m. Tuesday deadline.
The investigation was launched after Florida House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee tweeted video taken by a postal worker of the piles of undelivered mail.
Disinformation tactics used to mislead voters are continuing and evolving just days before the presidential election. What role disinformation may play on Election Day in Michigan isn’t yet clear, but in the four years since the last presidential election, questions still linger about how social media changes what happens in the voting booth. Some strategies from 2016 seem to be continuing, including targeting minority groups with messages meant to discourage them from voting.
After the 2016 presidential election in Michigan, proof of Russia’s deliberate attempt to mislead U.S. voters through a coordinated disinformation campaign on social media began to emerge. Michigan was one of nine states that two Russian agents visited in June 2014 as part of an intelligence-gathering mission, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Read more here.
– Ashley Nerbovig, Detroit Free Press
Pennsylvania is a top prize for President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, and some activists say Black voters could prove crucial to deciding who wins the presidential race and earns the state's 20 electoral votes. Organizers expect social unrest, the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on communities of color and the renewed national focus on civil rights for Black Americans will spur more Black voters to show up at the polls in Pennsylvania than in 2016.
"There's a lot of energy out there,’" said Stephanie Young, chief officer for communications and culture for When We All Vote, a nonprofit civic engagement group launched in 2018 by Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda and others. "All of the circumstances that we've been faced with this year have really created a more informed and more passionate and a more engaged electorate."
To activate those voters, groups are hosting socially distant rallies featuring local artists, running phone banks from home, setting up voter information booths at outdoor events and leading caravans through Black neighborhoods.
– Deborah Barfield Berry
Election problems: What to keep in mind
This cheat sheet from Columbia Journalism Review offers tips for media organizations reporting on Election 2020 that are a good reminder of what to expect on Election Day.
Voting problems aren't failures. They happen every year and, as CJR notes, hiccups such as voting machines not working or polling places opening late don't mean anything is "rigged."
Some problems, however, are significant. CJR recommends the media scrutinize areas that have a history of voter suppression or obstructing minority voters, calling out Georgia as a place to monitor.
Don't expect a winner on Election Night. This year is different because mail-in ballots could be as high as 30%. Previously, that number was 3%-5%. It will take a while to tally.
Seriously, expect to wait. State vote certification deadlines differ and don't have to be reported to the federal level until Dec. 8. Additionally, the Electoral College doesn’t meet until Dec. 14.
Headlines from elsewhere and resources on voting
From ProPublica : Their Electionland project goes deep on issues that can affect eligible voters' ability to cast a ballot.
: Their Electionland project goes deep on issues that can affect eligible voters' ability to cast a ballot. From Pew/Stateline : The Barriers to the Ballot Box project takes on how changes to polling places impact communities.
: The Barriers to the Ballot Box project takes on how changes to polling places impact communities. Ballotopedia : Resources and guides to not just the election, but also voting.
: Resources and guides to not just the election, but also voting. From the Associated Press: More voting headlines that should be on your radar.
☑How to make sure your mail-in ballot is counted and not discarded.
🗳 USA TODAY's Voter Guide has everything you need on registering to vote, when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues.
📧For updates to your inbox, subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
Contributing: Joel Shannon, USA TODAY; The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-11-02--Beyoncé is a true Queen B: She tells British Vogue she has 2 beehives, makes 'hundreds of jars of ho

Who knew Beyoncé really was a Queen B ?
The superstar 's fans call themselves the Beyhive .
But in her cover story with British Vogue this month , the singer reveals she has real beehives , too .
After a wide-ranging conversation about fashion , creativity , activism , child-rearing , the pandemic and Texas cuisine , editor-in-chief Edward Enninful asks , `` What is something I would find surprising about you ? ''
`` I know it ’ s random , '' Beyoncé responds , `` but I have two beehives .
Real ones .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while now .
`` I have around 80,000 bees and we make hundreds of jars of honey a year , '' she continues .
More : Beyoncé 's 'Black is King ' is the joyful anthem Black people need in 2020 Happy birthday , Beyoncé !
Here are 20 of her best songs to celebrate with this Labor Day weekend The singer , mother to Blue Ivy , 8 , and twins Rumi and Sir , 3 , says she started the beehives because her daughters `` both have terrible allergies , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The beehive news is bound to have Beyoncé fans buzzing .

Beyoncé is a true Queen B: She tells British Vogue she has 2 beehives, makes 'hundreds of jars of honey'
Show Caption Hide Caption Beyonce and Tina Knowles Lawson supporting COVID-19 testing Beyonce and Tina Knowles Lawson supporting COVID-19 testing AP
Who knew Beyoncé really was a Queen B?
The superstar's fans call themselves the Beyhive. But in her cover story with British Vogue this month, the singer reveals she has real beehives, too.
After a wide-ranging conversation about fashion, creativity, activism, child-rearing, the pandemic and Texas cuisine, editor-in-chief Edward Enninful asks, "What is something I would find surprising about you?"
"I know it’s random," Beyoncé responds, "but I have two beehives. Real ones. I’ve had them at my house for a while now.
"I have around 80,000 bees and we make hundreds of jars of honey a year," she continues.
More: Beyoncé's 'Black is King' is the joyful anthem Black people need in 2020
Happy birthday, Beyoncé! Here are 20 of her best songs to celebrate with this Labor Day weekend
The singer, mother to Blue Ivy, 8, and twins Rumi and Sir, 3, says she started the beehives because her daughters "both have terrible allergies, and honey has countless healing properties."
The beehive news is bound to have Beyoncé fans buzzing.


usatoday--2020-11-01--'That's what I do': Barack Obama sinks 3-pointer as Joe Biden looks on ahead of Flint rally

Before heading out to the stage at the rally at Northwestern High School Saturday in Flint , Michigan , former President Barack Obama set up a shot on the basketball court and nailed it .
`` Walk off , '' an unidentified person off-camera said .
`` That 's what I do , '' the former President said walking out of the gymnasium .
`` That 's what I do . ''
`` Whoa !
, '' Biden said walking behind him .
`` All net ! ''
Obama : `` You do n't understand .
That 's what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit and Flint if they are tired of a reality star focused more on his ego than on a pandemic sweeping through the country , referring to President Donald Trump , they should elect Biden for president .
`` Tweeting at the TV does n't fix things .
Making stuff up does n't make people 's lives better .
You 've got to have a plan .
You 've got to put in the work , '' Obama said in Flint .
More : Trump trails Biden by 7 points in final Free @ @ @ @ @

'That's what I do': Barack Obama sinks 3-pointer as Joe Biden looks on ahead of Flint rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Obama sinks three-pointer while campaigning for Biden in Michigan Former President Barack Obama couldn't pass up an opportunity to play some basketball even on the campaign trail for Joe Biden. USA TODAY, Storyful
Before heading out to the stage at the rally at Northwestern High School Saturday in Flint, Michigan, former President Barack Obama set up a shot on the basketball court and nailed it.
"Oh!" the crowd gasped.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" the Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden exclaimed.
"Walk off," an unidentified person off-camera said.
"That's what I do," the former President said walking out of the gymnasium. "That's what I do."
"Whoa!," Biden said walking behind him. "All net!"
Obama: "You don't understand. That's what I do."
Biden: "All net."
Obama told supporters in Detroit and Flint if they are tired of a reality star focused more on his ego than on a pandemic sweeping through the country, referring to President Donald Trump, they should elect Biden for president.
"Tweeting at the TV doesn't fix things. Making stuff up doesn't make people's lives better. You've got to have a plan. You've got to put in the work," Obama said in Flint.
More: Trump trails Biden by 7 points in final Free Press poll as race narrows
Follow Amy Huschka on Twitter @aetmanshuschka.