usatoday--2020-11-01--Voting 2020 updates: Missouri polling place covers noose; Texas event canceled after Biden bus swarm

Voting 2020 updates: Missouri polling place covers noose; Texas event canceled after Biden bus swarmed by Trump supporters

With three days until Election Day , more than 90 million people have already voted – more than 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 .
`` The numbers are stunning , '' McDonald said in an update on his website this week .
`` The pace of some states ' early voting is such that with almost certainty states will begin surpassing their total 2016 total vote this week . ''
One such voter who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Duvall who at age 99 survived COVID-19 , pneumonia and five days in the hospital .
She voted for the very first time last week .
`` I guess I did n't have time before because of my kids , my husband and our family .
I stayed with them , '' she said .
`` I decided this time that I wanted the right man in there . ''
Read the full story .
As Election Day approaches , USA TODAY is keeping track of what 's happening as voters around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some important headlines from this week : • `` I can ’ t ask people to vote if I don ’ t vote '' : What Shaquille O'Neal told USA TODAY Sports for a story about what led four professional athletes to cast their first ballots .
• Voters in jail often rely on outside civic groups to register them .
Many of those initiatives were limited this year due to the coronavirus , disenfranchising hundreds of thousands .
• Voting is widely billed as a patriotic duty , but it can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and terms .
Here are some important terms to brush up on .
• 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 .
• 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with even more 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 .
A historical exhibit featuring a replica of the noose used in Missouri ’ s last legal hanging drew fire Friday from Democrats who said its presence near polls amounted to racist “ voter intimidation.
” The exhibit in the Stone County Courthouse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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.
” A caravan of vehicles displaying Trump campaign flags swarmed a Biden campaign bus between San Antonio and Austin on Friday afternoon , leading the Democrats on board , including congressional candidate Wendy Davis , to call 911 and cancel the Austin close of their “ Battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour .
According to the Biden campaign , the vehicles with Trump signs and flags surrounded the bus trying to slow it down in the middle of the highway or run it off the road .
“ Rather than engage in productive conversation about the drastically different visions that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have for our country , Trump supporters in Texas instead decided to put our staff , surrogates , supporters , and others in harm ’ s way , ” Tariq Thowfeek , Texas communications director of the Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one was injured .
No one was arrested .
It is evident on a video of the incident that there was a glancing but obvious contact between a black Trump pickup and a white car apparently being driven behind the bus by a Biden campaign staffer , but no apparent serious or disabling damage .
On Saturday , Trump shared an edited video that appears to be of the incident , tweeting `` I love Texas ! ''
in all caps .
Postal and law enforcement officials are investigating after four dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post office in Florida .
U.S .
Postal Service Office investigators said Saturday 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 Saturday that 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacting the remaining 24 voters to help them get their ballots returned by the 7 p.m. Tuesday deadline .
The investigation was launched Friday after Florida House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee tweeted video taken by a postal worker of the piles of undelivered mail .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any form can not 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 doused them with pepper spray while telling the civil rights group to get out of the street .
A reporter with the BurlingtonTimes-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 .
After the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the town square and set up and speak on stage .
After 45 minutes , Graham police began arresting people on the fringes of the event , apparently who were just listening .
And the Alamance Sheriff 's Office deputies arrived .
A tussle on stage ensued as officers tried to confiscate the audio equipment and speakers .
A dozen or more people were arrested roughly and spray was used .
Federal judge : USPS must take 'extraordinary measures ' to deliver ballots A federal judge on Friday 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 .
District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered the postal service to provide a written explanation for each district that delivered fewer than 80 % of ballots on time each day , or fewer than 90 % of ballots on time for two days in the same week .
Across the U.S. as of Saturday afternoon , more than 57 million of the mail-in ballots requested had been returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding , according to McDonald , the Florida professor who runs the U.S .
Elections Project .
Heading into election week , the USA TODAY Network 's effort to measure mail efficiency showed high rates of on-time delivery in some swing states but continuing signs of problems in others .
Of 62 packages mailed since Oct. 13 , a dozen took more than the three-day shipping standard set forth by the post office .
Five took a week or more .
Last day for early voting in 5 states Early , in-person voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , Oklahoma , Virginia and West Virginia , as well as in several Florida counties .
New Mexico had reported more than 700,000 early votes Saturday morning , according to McDonald .
`` NM is at 93.2 % of its 2016 total vote .
I did not have NM going over 2016 on my bingo card , '' McDonald said on Twitter .
`` Today is the last day of in-person early voting , and there are still some mail ballots outstanding . ''
North Carolina had reported more than 4.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300,000 , Virginia more than 2.5 million , and West Virginia more than 100,000 , according to McDonald .
There was a six-hour wait for the last person in line to vote just before 10 a.m. Saturday at County Square in Greenville , South Carolina .
The line stretched twice the length of the buildings before snaking through a parking lot on the eastern side of the complex .
Voters will likely find much shorter waits if they elect to vote on Tuesday , said Conway Belangia , the county 's elections director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the county — not only the one at County Square .
With in-person absentee voting available to any registered voter thanks to the pandemic , South Carolina and other states have shattered early voting records .
More than 1.1 million people in South Carolina had cast absentee ballots by Thursday night , and that was already twice the record 503,000 cast in 2016 .
Early voting hours have been extended this weekend at all four Rockland County , New York , locations and signage offering accommodations for voters who require them is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Civil Liberties Union .
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — an extra two-and-a-half hours — both Saturday and Sunday at the Clarkstown , Haverstraw , Orangetown and Ramapo town halls , said Rockland 's Democratic elections commissioner , Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky .
Stavisky 's efforts to have the hours extended were thwarted when her Republican counterpart , Patricia Giblin , opposed the move .
But state Supreme Court Justice Rolph Thorsen issued his ruling late Friday afternoon in support of the Civil Liberties Union 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the Spring Valley and Nyack branches of the NAACP and several individual voters .
Polling place pickings are slim in Halifax County , a largely rural county in the Roanoke River basin near the Virginia border where more than half the residents are Black , according to U.S. Census numbers .
In poor , rural counties like Halifax , election challenges loom large .
Not only are there no stadiums to serve as polling places , but there often are not enough suitable , well-located public buildings that work either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker positions are hard to fill .
Since 2012 , Halifax County has reduced the number of Election Day polling places by nearly a quarter , from 25 to 19 , a Center for Public Integrity/Stateline analysis of polling place data found .
Voters saw the average distance to their polling place increase about four-tenths of a mile between 2012 and 2018 — the second-largest jump in the state after Cleveland County , on the South Carolina border .
Read more here .
– Matt Vasilogambros , Tim Henderson , Carrie Levine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Integrity Native voters still find obstacles , but advocates work to remove barriers There are multiple challenges affecting Native voters , including the lack of traditional mailing addresses and unequal access to early-voting sites .
Patty Ferguson Bohnee , the director of the Indian Law Clinic at ASU , said fewer than half of people who live on tribal lands have access to broadband internet , and that impedes access to the polls .
Native voters are also faced with isolating conditions , language barriers and various socioeconomic disparities .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Arizona Native Vote Elections Protection Project works with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona , the National Congress of American Indians , and the Native American Bar Association of Arizona on ways to address Native voting issues .
What led these professional athletes to cast their first ballots ?
Many athletes are longtime voters , but there are plenty of others who will be casting a ballot for the first time .
`` I don ’ t like being a hypocrite if I ’ m asking everybody to vote and enact change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA broadcaster and first-time voter Shaquille O'Neal told USA TODAY Sports .
`` I can ’ t ask people to vote if I don ’ t vote . ''
Some athletes have been motivated to vote for the first time by this summer 's social justice movement or a specific issue they want to support .
Others say they 've come to see voting as a civic duty .
And some are only just now eligible to vote , either due to their age or citizenship status .
USA TODAY Sports spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots in a presidential election — and why they 're voting .
Read more .
Early votes in Texas surpass total cast in 2016 with Election Day still to go Early voting has surged to unprecedented levels in the 2020 election , especially in Texas where the number of early votes has already surpassed the total number of ballots cast four years ago .
According to the Texas Secretary of State office , 8,969,226 out of 15,101,087 registered voters cast ballots in the entire 2016 general election .
The official vote count in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – with a full day of early voting and Election Day left .
Voters in Texas do not register by party , so the early returns do n't indicate whether the high numbers favor Democrats or Republicans .
Polling indicates a very tight race in the Lone Star State , which Trump won four years ago by nine percentage points .
The number of early votes in Hawaii has also surpassed the state 's total in 2016 .
More than 484,000 Hawaiians have already voted this year , according to McDonald , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 `` rigged . ''
• Some problems , however , are significant .
CJR recommends the media scrutinize areas that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 be reported to the federal level until Dec. 8 .
Additionally , the Electoral College doesn ’ t meet until Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of COVID-19 among election workers A Palm Bay , Florida , early voting site has been closed after election workers there tested positive for COVID-19 , Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott announced Friday .
The affected site is at the supervisor of elections ' Palm Bay administrative offices , 450 Cogan Drive SE , which also is temporarily closed .
Citing the `` stringent safety protocols '' in place since the March presidential preference primary , Scott said : `` It is a tribute to our strict safety measures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half a million voters through the election process this year before having our first positive case.
” Early in-person voting continues from 8 am .
to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and voters were urged to visit other early voting sites in the area .
( You can follow Saturday 's coronavirus news here . )
Nearly 24,000 lawyers are volunteering to help voters across the country navigate changes in what has become an unprecedented election cycle .
Organizers of Election Protection , a national coalition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the number of volunteers has quadrupled since the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterm elections .
They ’ re bracing for even more calls as Election Day nears and in the days and weeks following .
The Election Protection hotline ( 866-OUR-VOTE ) is available all year , but calls have ramped up in recent weeks as millions started casting ballots early in some states .
The hotline has received more than 100,000 calls since July , averaging about 7,000 a day , organizers said .
At this point in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since January of that year .
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 should be on your radar .
☑How to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .


usatoday--2020-11-01--Texas smashed early voting records. Which party will benefit?

With a record number of ballots cast during the early voting period in Texas , candidates , strategists and political analysts are poring over the numbers , looking for clues as to which way the state might go on Election Day .
Roughly 57 % of registered voters in the state voted early , shattering previous turnout records with one day of voting ahead .
The 9.6 million Texans voted early was a 47 % increase from the number of early voters in the 2016 general election .
About 735,000 more people voted early this year in Texas than voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including on Election Day .
For decades , general election turnout in Texas has been among the lowest in the country as most statewide contests have been foregone conclusions .
The last time a Democrat won statewide office was in 1996 , and the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Texas was Jimmy Carter in 1976 .
But this year is different , at least according to Democrats who are optimistic that the surge in early voting signals greater numbers of Democrats turning out to the polls , raising the possibility of Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the state ’ s 38 electoral votes , control of the Texas House is also at stake .
And Democrats are targeting several GOP-held congressional seats anchored in the suburbs of the state ’ s biggest cities , including four in the Austin area .
Republicans look at the numbers and see a different story : a close election , but one that will return statewide GOP candidates to office and deliver Texas to the Republican column in the presidential race .
Recent polling has shown President Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas , and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report , a leading election forecasting site , on Wednesday moved the state from `` lean Republican '' to `` toss up . ''
Early voting was more popular than ever in large cities and suburban areas where Republicans lost ground in 2018 .
In Travis County , more than half a million voters cast ballots during early voting and mail-in voting , more than 64 % of registered voters , far surpassing the vote total for the entire 2016 general election .
Although early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Daron Shaw , a University of Texas political science professor , cautioned that the numbers alone don ’ t demonstrate that Texas is in play , as there are several factors to consider .
For one , Gov .
Greg Abbott expanded the early voting period in the state by six days to alleviate crowding at polling places amid the coronavirus pandemic , creating more opportunities for Texans to cast their ballots .
And the early vote as a share of the overall vote has been growing every election for years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t quite know how to gauge what we ’ re seeing against historical precedent , because the context has changed , '' Shaw said .
`` I ’ m therefore suspicious of people who want to read in all sorts of partisan implications .
I ’ m not sure what we ’ re looking at , in that regard . ''
He added , `` I think sometimes we get a little too cute with the data . ''
Different modeling based on data compiled from voters who have cast their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer to being a toss-up than it has been in recent history – the question is just how slim the margin will be , and in whose favor .
Modeling from FiveThirtyEight shows that Trump is “ slightly favored ” to win Texas , in 66 of 100 scenarios run by analysts at the outlet .
TargetSmart , a national Democratic group , said data show `` Texas is in play , '' and that the electorate this year is at least 2 % more Democratic than the electorate in the 2018 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeated Democratic rival Beto O ’ Rourke by 2.6 percentage points .
In shifting the presidential race in Texas to toss-up status , Cook Political Report cited polling showing a competitive presidential contest in the state , but it cautioned that there is a level of uncertainty surrounding the state , due in part to its growing population .
`` It ’ s also the case that we don ’ t have a whole lot of experience with Texas as a battleground state , '' wrote Amy Walter , a Cook Political Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollsters . ''
Once voting starts , consultants numbers based on the number of ballots cast by mail and in-person during early voting , and voter data from past elections .
Texas voters do not have to register with a political party , complicating the task of forecasting results .
Derek Ryan , a Republican consultant and data analyst in Texas , said he models voter data by matching every person who has voted so far this year against a list he maintains of all registered voters , which includes such details as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which previous elections each person cast a ballot .
Previous elections can reveal a voter ’ s political leanings , especially if they consistently vote in one party ’ s primary election .
But voters can switch party primaries from one election to the next , so primary voting doesn ’ t always serve as an accurate prediction for how they might vote in a general election .
Ryan ’ s latest report , published Thursday , shows that nearly 30 % of people voting early this year have a history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 % previously voted in Democratic primaries .
In an update from his research firm , Ryan said the numbers show “ voters who most recently voted in a Republican primary have about a 350,000 vote advantage over voters who most recently voted in a Democratic Primary.
” '' The modeling and all that stuff that both parties use has gotten pretty sophisticated and good over the years — better each year , '' said Keir Murray , a Democratic consultant in Texas .
`` But , it still has limitations on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , one limitation is high turnout among first-time voters or occasional voters , making it harder to predict who they ’ ll support .
In these cases , analysts can turn to such demographic data as age , race and location to assess which candidates an individual might support .
Some modeling firms even use consumer data to predict how someone will vote .
Ryan ’ s latest figures show that 16 % of people who have voted so far have no general or primary election history , and nearly 29 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they have voted in past general elections but not in primaries .
Voters who have never voted in a primary election are poised to be the largest group of voters , Ryan found .
This year , an edge in early voting could make all the difference .
Murray said his sense is that as turnout grows , it creates a disadvantage for Republicans as they “ exhaust their base.
” Ryan said Democrats could be at an advantage when it comes to campaign strategy , as their base has already voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent voters .
Republicans will be “ waging a battle on two fronts : contacting independents and making sure the Republican base ends up voting.
” Democrats have poured money into Texas in the election ’ s final days as polls have tightened .
Even as the Biden campaign hasn ’ t devoted much money to Texas , New York businessman Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday that he is spending about $ 1 million a day in the campaign ’ s last week on statewide advertising for the man who was briefly his rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris , Biden ’ s running mate , campaigned Friday in Fort Worth , McAllen and Houston , urging voters to keep up enthusiasm through Election Day .
It was her first trip to Texas as the vice presidential candidate .
Biden hasn ’ t visited Texas during the general election campaign , and Trump hasn ’ t stopped in the state since the summer .
His absence from the state also could be a sign of Republican confidence .
An average of recent Texas polls , as calculated by RealClear Politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That gap is within the margin of error of most surveys .
The latest poll , from the University of Massachusetts Lowell released Thursday , showed Trump ahead by 1 point , 48 % to Biden ’ s 47 % .
`` My sense of the state is right now , it ’ s extremely close , '' said Murray .
The Democratic consultant added , `` I think the state is a toss-up at this point . ''

Madlin Mekelburg and Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman

Texas smashed early-voting records. Which party will benefit?
Show Caption Hide Caption Early voter turnout breaks records, leads to long lines in many states The surge in voting has led to hours long wait times in states, like Georgia and Wisconsin, that have in-person early voting. USA TODAY
With a record number of ballots cast during the early-voting period in Texas, candidates, strategists and political analysts were poring over the numbers, looking for clues as to which way the state might go on Election Day.
Roughly 57% of registered voters in the state voted early as of Saturday, shattering previous turnout records with one day of voting ahead. The 9.6 million Texans voting early was a 47% increase from the number of early voters in the 2016 general election. About 735,000 more people voted early this year in Texas than voted in the entire 2016 presidential election, including on Election Day.
For decades, general-election turnout in Texas has been among the lowest in the country as most statewide contests have been foregone conclusions. The last time a Democrat won statewide office was in 1996, and the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Texas was Jimmy Carter in 1976.
But this year is different, at least according to Democrats who are optimistic that the surge in early voting signals greater numbers of Democrats turning out to the polls, raising the possibility of Democratic victories up and down the ballot. In addition to the state’s 38 electoral votes, control of the Texas House is at stake. And Democrats are targeting several GOP-held congressional seats anchored in the suburbs of the state’s biggest cities, including four in the Austin area.
Republicans look at the numbers and see a different story: a close election, but one that will return statewide GOP candidates to office and deliver Texas to the Republican column in the presidential race.
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, on Wednesday moved the state from "lean Republican" to "toss up."
Early voting was more popular than ever in large cities and suburban areas where Republicans lost ground in 2018. In Travis County, more than half a million voters cast ballots during early voting and mail-in voting, more than 64% of registered voters, far surpassing the vote total for the entire 2016 general election.
Although voter turnout is "extraordinarily high," Daron Shaw, a University of Texas political science professor, cautioned that the numbers alone don’t demonstrate that Texas is in play, as there are several factors to consider.
For one, Gov. Greg Abbott expanded early voting in the state by six days to alleviate crowding at polling places amid the coronavirus pandemic, creating more opportunities for Texans to cast their ballots. And the early vote as a share of the overall vote has been growing every election for years.
"With that in mind, I don’t quite know how to gauge what we’re seeing against historical precedent, because the context has changed," Shaw said. "I’m therefore suspicious of people who want to read in all sorts of partisan implications. I’m not sure what we’re looking at, in that regard."
He added, "I think sometimes we get a little too cute with the data."
'Texas is in play'
Different modeling based on data compiled from voters who have cast their ballots thus far suggests that Texas is closer to being a toss-up than it has been in recent history – the question is just how slim the margin will be, and in whose favor.
Modeling from FiveThirtyEight shows that Trump is “slightly favored” to win Texas, in 66 of 100 scenarios run by analysts at the outlet. TargetSmart, a national Democratic group, said data show "Texas is in play," and that the electorate this year is at least 2% more Democratic than the electorate in the 2018 election. That year, Sen. Ted Cruz defeated Democratic rival Beto O’Rourke by 2.6 percentage points.
In shifting the presidential race in Texas to toss-up status, Cook Political Report cited polling showing a competitive presidential contest in the state, but it cautioned that there is a level of uncertainty surrounding the state, in part because of its growing population.
"It’s also the case that 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."
Crunching the numbers
Once voting starts, consultants numbers based on the number of ballots cast by mail and in-person during early voting, and voter data from past elections. Texas voters do not have to register with a political party, complicating the task of forecasting results.
Derek Ryan, a Republican consultant and data analyst in Texas, said he models voter data by matching every person who has voted so far this year against a list he maintains of all registered voters, which includes such details as age, gender, location, and in which previous elections each person cast a ballot.
Previous elections can reveal a voter’s political leanings, especially if they consistently vote in one party’s primary election. But voters can switch party primaries from one election to the next, so primary voting doesn’t always serve as an accurate prediction for how they might vote in a general election.
Ryan’s latest report, published Thursday, shows that nearly 30% of people voting early this year have a history of voting in Republican primary elections and about 23% previously voted in Democratic primaries.
In an update from his research firm, Ryan said the numbers show “voters who most recently voted in a Republican primary have about a 350,000 vote advantage over voters who most recently voted in a Democratic Primary.”
"The modeling and all that stuff that both parties use has gotten pretty sophisticated and good over the years — better each year," said Keir Murray, a Democratic consultant in Texas. "But, it still has limitations on what it can actually predict."
This year, one limitation is high turnout among first-time voters or occasional voters, making it harder to predict who they’ll support. In these cases, analysts can turn to such demographic data as age, race and location to assess which candidates an individual might support. Some modeling firms even use consumer data to predict how someone will vote.
Ryan’s latest figures show that 16% of people who have voted so far have no general or primary election history, and nearly 29% have no primary election history, meaning that they have voted in past general elections but not in primaries. Voters who have never voted in a primary election are poised to be the largest group of voters, Ryan found.
This year, an edge in early voting could make all the difference. Murray said his sense is that as turnout grows, it creates a disadvantage for Republicans as they “exhaust their base.”
Ryan said Democrats could be at an advantage when it comes to campaign strategy, as their base has already voted and they can focus their attention on independent voters. Republicans will be “waging a battle on two fronts: contacting independents and making sure the Republican base ends up voting.”
11th-hour push
Democrats have poured money into Texas in the election’s final days as polls have tightened.
Even as the Biden campaign hasn’t devoted much money to Texas, New York businessman Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday that he is spending about $1 million a day in the campaign’s last week on statewide advertising for the man who was briefly his rival for the Democratic nomination.
Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, campaigned Friday in Fort Worth, McAllen and Houston, urging voters to keep up enthusiasm through Election Day. It was her first trip to Texas as the vice presidential candidate.
Biden hasn’t visited Texas during the general election campaign, and Trump hasn’t stopped in the state since the summer. His absence from the state also could be a sign of Republican confidence.
An average of recent Texas polls, as calculated by RealClear Politics, show Trump ahead by 2.3 points. That gap is within the margin of error of most surveys. The latest poll, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell released Thursday, showed Trump ahead by 1 point, 48% to Biden’s 47%.
"My sense of the state is right now, it’s extremely close," said Murray. The Democratic consultant added, "I think the state is a toss-up at this point."


usatoday--2020-10-31--Can Democrats flip Texas? Kamala Harris visits Lone Star state as early voting there smashes record

FORT WORTH – In a last-ditch effort to pick Donald Trump 's pocket in the nation 's largest Republican state , Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris came to Texas to lay the blame for coronavirus at the president 's feet .
`` What people might have done to better prepare , '' Harris told a friendly audience of about 300 outside First St. John 's Cathedral , an African American church on Fort Worth 's east side , after accusing Trump of hiding the true dangers of the pandemic from the American people early this year .
That message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats to vote by Nov. 3 as the ticket led by former Vice President Joe Biden seeks to wrest Texas from the Republican 's 40-year grip in presidential elections .
Unprecedented levels of early voting in Texas have boosted Democratic hopes .
This week , early votes cast in the state surpassed the total number of ballots cast four years ago .
According to the Texas Secretary of State office , 8,969,226 out of 15,101,087 registered voters cast ballots in the entire 2016 general election .
The official vote count in Texas through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of early voting .
Texas-sized turnout : Early votes in Texas surpass total cast in 2016 with Election Day still to go The Fort Worth stop was part of three-city swing by the Democratic vice president contender , who also visited the border city of McAllen and Houston , the state 's largest city .
Fort Worth is largest city in Tarrant County , the only urban county in Texas that has n't gone fully Democratic over the past several cycles .
Two years ago , Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came within 2.6 percentage points of upsetting Republican incumbent Ted Cruz .
That showing , plus the fevered efforts by Texas Democrats to wrest control of the state House for the first time in 20 years , made the state a target for Biden as the campaign headed toward its final weekend .
And that 's why Harris , speaking in jeans and sneakers in front of a giant Texas flag under a cloudless sky , made an emotional appeal for Democrats to vote .
`` Honor the ancestors , '' the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket said as she invoked the name of the late Congressman John Lewis , a pioneer of the civl rights movement of the 1960s .
And , as if acknowledging not on the importance of the Black vote in the Democratic coalition but also the women vote , Harris made an addition to her appeal .
`` This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment , '' she said of the measure that guaranteed women 's right to vote .
`` The ancestors .
The suffragettes .
It 's important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precious right . ''
The Texas Republican Party , meanwhile , used Harris ' visit as an opportunity to fire up the GOP base as polls have consistently shown Trump and Biden separated by just single digits with the lead changing hands several times .
And GOP used the visit to make a pitch for campaign cash .
`` Radical Democrats from across the country are pouring emergency funding into Texas – and they will stop at nothing to dismantle our Texan way of life , '' the state party said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now-or-never moment and the line in the sand has been drawn .
Which side do you stand on ? ''
Added Trump spokeswoman Samantha Cotten : “ Texans aren ’ t fooled by phony politicians like Kamala Harris who is making a last ditch effort in the Lone Star State and come November , voters will reject the Democrats ' radical agenda of eliminating the oil and gas industry , hiking our taxes , and taking away our Second Amendment rights in favor of four more years of President Trump . ''
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the themes important to Democrats : Protecting Obamacare and coverage for pre-existing conditions , addressing climate change , protecting immigrants and more federal assistance for higher education and home ownership .
Harris ' visit also provided something of a bookend in Texas for the Biden camp .
Jill Biden , the nominee 's wife , visited El Paso , Dallas and Houston when early voting in the state opened Oct. 13 .
Harris visit to the state came on the final day of early voting .
“ There ’ s no doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso .
`` In my view , we are on the verge on turning the state blue and the visits by Dr. Biden and Senator Harris are a clear recognition of that fact .
Make no mistake — Biden will win Texas.
” More : USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll : Ahead of Election Day , 3 of 4 voters worry about violence in a divided nation Harris ' stop in Fort Worth was significant because of its location in the last remaining urban county that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2016 , Trump won Tarrant County with a cushion of more than 8.5 percentage points .
But two years later , Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Beto O'Rourke captured the county by seven-tenths of a point and the party managed to flip a state Senate seat in a district anchored by Fort Worth .
The Trump camp has said Texas will remain in the red column again this year in no small measure because of the president 's overwhelming advantage in the state 's sprawling rural regions , and the GOP 's built-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cycle after cycle since the the middle 1990s .
Sharron Spriggs , who was among those sitting on socially distanced folding lawn chairs on the church grounds , said she was energized by Harris ' visit and touched by her remarks about the pandemic .
`` I buried two in my family from the virus this week , '' Spriggs said .
Harris ' stop in McAllen , the second-largest city in the lower Rio Grande Valley , is seen as an effort to boost enthusiasm in one of the most reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one with traditionally anemic voter turnout .
While early voting turnout in nearly every section of the state was topping 50 % , counties along the border have failed to keep pace .
Turnout in Hidalgo County , where McAllen is the largest city , was just 42 % through Wednesday .
Neighboring Cameron County 's turnout was even lower at 38 % .
Quinnipiac Poll : ll : Joe Biden , Donald Trump tied up in Texas with two weeks left in 2020 race The big prize in Texas is Houston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million of the state 's 17 million registered voters live .
Like Tarrant County , which shares a border with Dallas , Houston 's media market is massive .
More : Kamala Harris and Mike Pence clash , but in a civilized way In Fort Worth , Harris ended her remarks sensing Texas Democrats ' weariness after four years under Trump .
`` This moment will pass .
And years from now our children , our grandchildren , and others –they will look at us – each one of us – and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us 'where were you at this moment , ' '' Harris said .
`` And we will tell them so much more than what we felt , Fort Worth .
We will tell them what we did . ''
John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin .
Contact him at jmoritz @ gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ JohnnieMo .

John C Moritz Austin Bureau USA TODAY NETWORK, Corpus Christi Caller Times

Can Democrats flip Texas? Kamala Harris visits Lone Star state as early voting there smashes record Democrats are looking to flip the nation's largest Republican state with a late-campaign visit by the vice presidential nominee.
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice take center stage in VP debate The Vice Presidential debate had less arguing and a lot more talk about the issues, but there were still a few heated moments. USA TODAY
FORT WORTH – In a last-ditch effort to pick Donald Trump's pocket in the nation's largest Republican state, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris came to Texas to lay the blame for coronavirus at the president's feet.
"What people might have done to better prepare," Harris told a friendly audience of about 300 outside First St. John's Cathedral, an African American church on Fort Worth's east side, after accusing Trump of hiding the true dangers of the pandemic from the American people early this year.
That message was part of an overarching call for Democrats to vote by Nov. 3 as the ticket led by former Vice President Joe Biden seeks to wrest Texas from the Republican's 40-year grip in presidential elections.
Unprecedented levels of early voting in Texas have boosted Democratic hopes.
This week, early votes cast in the state surpassed the total number of ballots cast four years ago. According to the Texas Secretary of State office, 8,969,226 out of 15,101,087 registered voters cast ballots in the entire 2016 general election. The official vote count in Texas through Thursday hit 9,009,850 – two days before the end of early voting.
Texas-sized turnout: Early votes in Texas surpass total cast in 2016 with Election Day still to go
The Fort Worth stop was part of three-city swing by the Democratic vice president contender, who also visited the border city of McAllen and Houston, the state's largest city. Fort Worth is largest city in Tarrant County, the only urban county in Texas that hasn't gone fully Democratic over the past several cycles.
Two years ago, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke narrowly won Tarrant County as he came within 2.6 percentage points of upsetting Republican incumbent Ted Cruz.
That showing, plus the fevered efforts by Texas Democrats to wrest control of the state House for the first time in 20 years, made the state a target for Biden as the campaign headed toward its final weekend.
And that's why Harris, speaking in jeans and sneakers in front of a giant Texas flag under a cloudless sky, made an emotional appeal for Democrats to vote.
"Honor the ancestors," the first Black woman placed on a major-party presidential ticket said as she invoked the name of the late Congressman John Lewis, a pioneer of the civl rights movement of the 1960s.
And, as if acknowledging not on the importance of the Black vote in the Democratic coalition but also the women vote, Harris made an addition to her appeal.
"This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment," she said of the measure that guaranteed women's right to vote. "The ancestors. The suffragettes. It's important to honor those who fought for this precious right."
Arriving in Fort Worth, @KamalaHarris give reporters a wave as she exits the jet but doesn’t stop for questions #2020campaign pic.twitter.com/KbjtGjqjiS — John C. Moritz (@JohnnieMo) October 30, 2020
The Texas Republican Party, meanwhile, used Harris' visit as an opportunity to fire up the GOP base as polls have consistently shown Trump and Biden separated by just single digits with the lead changing hands several times. And GOP used the visit to make a pitch for campaign cash.
"Radical Democrats from across the country are pouring emergency funding into Texas – and they will stop at nothing to dismantle our Texan way of life," the state party said in a fundraising email. "This is our now-or-never moment and the line in the sand has been drawn. Which side do you stand on?"
Added Trump spokeswoman Samantha Cotten: “Texans aren’t fooled by phony politicians like Kamala Harris who is making a last ditch effort in the Lone Star State and come November, voters will reject the Democrats' radical agenda of eliminating the oil and gas industry, hiking our taxes, and taking away our Second Amendment rights in favor of four more years of President Trump."
Harris' 30-minute speech without notes hit on all the themes important to Democrats: Protecting Obamacare and coverage for pre-existing conditions, addressing climate change, protecting immigrants and more federal assistance for higher education and home ownership.
Harris' visit also provided something of a bookend in Texas for the Biden camp. Jill Biden, the nominee's wife, visited El Paso, Dallas and Houston when early voting in the state opened Oct. 13. Harris visit to the state came on the final day of early voting.
“There’s no doubt that Texas is in play," said Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso. "In my view, we are on the verge on turning the state blue and the visits by Dr. Biden and Senator Harris are a clear recognition of that fact. Make no mistake — Biden will win Texas.”
More: USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Ahead of Election Day, 3 of 4 voters worry about violence in a divided nation
Harris' stop in Fort Worth was significant because of its location in the last remaining urban county that is not considered a lock for the Democrats. In 2016, Trump won Tarrant County with a cushion of more than 8.5 percentage points. But two years later, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Beto O'Rourke captured the county by seven-tenths of a point and the party managed to flip a state Senate seat in a district anchored by Fort Worth.
The Trump camp has said Texas will remain in the red column again this year in no small measure because of the president's overwhelming advantage in the state's sprawling rural regions, and the GOP's built-in get-out-the-vote advantage that's been in place for cycle after cycle since the the middle 1990s.
Sharron Spriggs, who was among those sitting on socially distanced folding lawn chairs on the church grounds, said she was energized by Harris' visit and touched by her remarks about the pandemic.
"I buried two in my family from the virus this week," Spriggs said.
Harris' stop in McAllen, the second-largest city in the lower Rio Grande Valley, is seen as an effort to boost enthusiasm in one of the most reliable Democratic regions of Texas – but also one with traditionally anemic voter turnout.
While early voting turnout in nearly every section of the state was topping 50%, counties along the border have failed to keep pace. Turnout in Hidalgo County, where McAllen is the largest city, was just 42% through Wednesday. Neighboring Cameron County's turnout was even lower at 38%.
Quinnipiac Poll: ll: Joe Biden, Donald Trump tied up in Texas with two weeks left in 2020 race
The big prize in Texas is Houston, Harris County's seat where nearly 2.5 million of the state's 17 million registered voters live. Like Tarrant County, which shares a border with Dallas, Houston's media market is massive.
More: Kamala Harris and Mike Pence clash, but in a civilized way
In Fort Worth, Harris ended her remarks sensing Texas Democrats' weariness after four years under Trump.
"This moment will pass. And years from now our children, our grandchildren, and others –they will look at us – each one of us – and they will look in the eye and ask us 'where were you at this moment,'" Harris said. "And we will tell them so much more than what we felt, Fort Worth. We will tell them what we did."
John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @JohnnieMo.
Contributing: Rebecca Morin and William Cummings of USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-31--Rutgers nearly pulled off one of the craziest touchdowns in college football history

Rutgers nearly had one of the craziest touchdowns in college football history toward the end of its game against No .
19 Indiana on Saturday .
Trailing the Hoosiers 37-21 with just over two minutes to go , the Scarlet Knights needed a few miracles if they wanted to improve to 2-0 .
But it appeared they got at least one prayer answered when Bo Melton scored a 55-yard touchdown on fourth-and-32 following a wild , eight-lateral scramble .
Quarterback Noah Vedral had the ball in his hands three separate times on the play , including executing the lateral pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was when offensive lineman Raiqwon O'Neal received the ball .
The big man tossed the ball over his head , nearly 20 yards backwards , in a play that brought to mind Hunter Henry 's backwards heave for Arkansas against Ole Miss several years back .
Unfortunately for fans of fun everywhere , Rutgers was assessed for an illegal forward pass at some point in the proceedings , making all those laterals for naught .
Still , it was an extremely fun few moments , and honestly one of the high points for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week 's win over Michigan State in Greg Schino 's second debut notwithstanding .

Rutgers nearly pulled off one of the craziest touchdowns in college football history
Show Caption Hide Caption Clemson holds on to the top spot in the latest Amway Coaches Poll USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest Amway Coaches Poll. USA TODAY
Rutgers nearly had one of the craziest touchdowns in college football history toward the end of its game against No. 19 Indiana on Saturday.
Trailing the Hoosiers 37-21 with just over two minutes to go, the Scarlet Knights needed a few miracles if they wanted to improve to 2-0. But it appeared they got at least one prayer answered when Bo Melton scored a 55-yard touchdown on fourth-and-32 following a wild, eight-lateral scramble.
Quarterback Noah Vedral had the ball in his hands three separate times on the play, including executing the lateral pass to spring Melton, but the highlight was when offensive lineman Raiqwon O'Neal received the ball. The big man tossed the ball over his head, nearly 20 yards backwards, in a play that brought to mind Hunter Henry's backwards heave for Arkansas against Ole Miss several years back.
Unfortunately, this didn't count 🙃 — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 31, 2020
Unfortunately for fans of fun everywhere, Rutgers' Shameen Jones was cited for an illegal forward pass when the play underwent review, making all those laterals for naught.
Still, it was an extremely fun few moments, and honestly one of the high points for Rutgers football the past few years — last week's win over Michigan State in Greg Schino's second debut notwithstanding.


usatoday--2020-10-31--Wisconsin football's COVID-19 cases continue to rise, next week's Purdue game in doubt

MADISON , Wis. – The number of coronavirus cases within the University of Wisconsin football program continues to rise , increasing the chances that UW may face a second cancellation .
“ I just got a report this morning , today we are at 10 staff , 12 players , a total of 22 , ” UW athletic director Barry Alvarez said Saturday on ESPN ’ s “ College GameDay.
” “ So we are still having additions in our cases , and that ’ s something we have to get our arms around and control of.
” On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 cases , eight players and eight staffers .
The Badgers opened the season October 23 with a 45-7 victory over Illinois .
A spike in cases after that game led UW officials to cancel their game against Nebraska that was to be played Saturday .
UW is scheduled to host Purdue on Nov. 7 .
Based on information released by UW , 21 of the 22 cases have been detected since the day after the victory over Illinois .
That includes head coach Paul Chryst , who must remain in isolation through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in isolation for 10 days .
Players are n't able to return until the 21st day from their positive diagnosis .
Even if UW officials try to hold the game against Purdue , the team will not be allowed to resume practice until Wednesday .
Illinois is scheduled to host Purdue on Saturday but Illini officials listed 14 players unavailable for the game .
Quarterback Brandon Peters and tight end Griffin Moore have tested positive for coronavirus .
It is too early to know how Wisconsin 's numbers will affect UW ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten title game .
How would a second cancellation affect UW in the Big Ten West Division race ?
According to the league , a team must play at least six games to be considered for participation in the championship game .
However , if the average number of conference games played by all teams falls below six , with the average rounded up/down at 0.50 ( 6.50 or greater would round up to 7.0 and 6.49 or less would round down to 6.0 ) , then teams must play no less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of conference games played by all teams .

Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin football's COVID-19 cases continue to rise, next week's Purdue game in doubt
Show Caption Hide Caption Has COVID-19 impacted college football finances? Our 5 biggest findings from our coaches compensation database SportsPulse: COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on much of the U.S. economy. How has it impacted college football coaches? According to our annual coaches compensation database, head coaches at Power Five conferences haven't taken a big hit. USA TODAY
MADISON, Wis. – The number of coronavirus cases within the University of Wisconsin football program continues to rise, increasing the chances that UW may face a second cancellation.
“I just got a report this morning, today we are at 10 staff, 12 players, a total of 22,” UW athletic director Barry Alvarez said Saturday on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” “So we are still having additions in our cases, and that’s something we have to get our arms around and control of.”
On Thursday, UW officials reported a total of 16 cases, eight players and eight staffers.
The Badgers opened the season October 23 with a 45-7 victory over Illinois. A spike in cases after that game led UW officials to cancel their game against Nebraska that was to be played Saturday.
UW is scheduled to host Purdue on Nov. 7.
Based on information released by UW, 21 of the 22 cases have been detected since the day after the victory over Illinois.
That includes head coach Paul Chryst, who must remain in isolation through Friday.
Coaches who test positive must be in isolation for 10 days. Players aren't able to return until the 21st day from their positive diagnosis.
Even if UW officials try to hold the game against Purdue, the team will not be allowed to resume practice until Wednesday.
Illinois is scheduled to host Purdue on Saturday but Illini officials listed 14 players unavailable for the game. Quarterback Brandon Peters and tight end Griffin Moore have tested positive for coronavirus.
Out vs. Purdue
DB Christian Bobak
LB Shammond Cooper
OL Brevyn Jones
WR Kerby Joseph
OL Doug Kramer
DB Michael Marchese
K James McCourt
TE Griffin Moore
OL Moses Okpala
QB Brandon Peters
DL Keith Randolph
WR Trevon Sidney
OL Jordyn Slaughter
QB Isaiah Williams https://t.co/yVgcomGogM — Illini Stats & Notes (@IlliniStats) October 31, 2020
It is too early to know how Wisconsin's numbers will affect UW’s chances to participate in the Big Ten title game.
How would a second cancellation affect UW in the Big Ten West Division race? According to the league, a team must play at least six games to be considered for participation in the championship game.
However, if the average number of conference games played by all teams falls below six, with the average rounded up/down at 0.50 (6.50 or greater would round up to 7.0 and 6.49 or less would round down to 6.0), then teams must play no less than two fewer conference games than the average number of conference games played by all teams.


usatoday--2020-10-31--'We have made great progress': Melania Trump praises Donald Trump's handling of COVID-19

Melania Trump on Saturday praised her husband 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , speaking at a `` Make America Great Again '' rally in Wisconsin in support of President Donald Trump 's bid for re-election .
The first lady , who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month , started off her remarks by acknowledging the disease is `` not a partisan issue '' and criticized those who say they would n't trust a vaccine approved under Trump 's administration .
`` This administration has worked tirelessly to support families and people struggling financially during this pandemic while Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package , '' Melania Trump said to a crowd of about 250 in West Bend , north of Milwaukee .
`` Such selfish , politically corrupt decisions are what separate the swamp politicians from President Trump and his administration . ''
She contrasted former Vice President Joe Biden 's comments that this will be a `` dark winter '' with her husband 's continued push forward , saying Biden wants the U.S. to operate out of fear .
She also accused the media , Democrats and Biden of attacking the president and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress in our fight against COVID-19 , '' the first lady said .
`` I watched Donald continue to work hard to keep people informed and calm , to protect our economy and make hard and unpopular decisions to do all he could to keep us all safe . ''
Melania Trump pointed to the COVID-19 safety protocols in place now across the country that have allowed businesses and restaurants to operate and children to go back to school .
`` This President is focused on not just destroying the virus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering with friends again , '' she said .
`` This is about mental health as much as it is about the physical well-being of people . ''
Three days before the election , the Biden team is campaigning too .
He plans to hold campaign events in Detroit and Flint , Michigan , with former President Barack Obama .
`` President Obama and I left President Trump a playbook on how to deal with pandemics , '' Biden tweeted Saturday .
`` He flat-out ignored it .
And we 're suffering every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lady is expected to make a second appearance at another Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania today at 5 p.m. EDT .
On Thursday , Melania Trump joined her husband on the campaign trail , and she defended him as a proponent of equality in a campaign video on Twitter for a conservative LGBTQ group .

'We have made great progress': Melania Trump praises Donald Trump's handling of COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Trumps test positive for COVID-19: World reacts Celebrities and world leaders have mixed reactions upon finding out President Trump and first lady Melania have tested positive for COVID-19. USA TODAY, Wochit
Melania Trump on Saturday praised her husband's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, speaking at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Wisconsin in support of President Donald Trump's bid for re-election.
The first lady, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month, started off her remarks by acknowledging the disease is "not a partisan issue" and criticized those who say they wouldn't trust a vaccine approved under Trump's administration.
"This administration has worked tirelessly to support families and people struggling financially during this pandemic while Democrats in Congress refuse to sign another stimulus package," Melania Trump said to a crowd of about 250 in West Bend, north of Milwaukee. "Such selfish, politically corrupt decisions are what separate the swamp politicians from President Trump and his administration."
She contrasted former Vice President Joe Biden's comments that this will be a "dark winter" with her husband's continued push forward, saying Biden wants the U.S. to operate out of fear. She also accused the media, Democrats and Biden of attacking the president and his administration.
"We have made great progress in our fight against COVID-19," the first lady said. "I watched Donald continue to work hard to keep people informed and calm, to protect our economy and make hard and unpopular decisions to do all he could to keep us all safe."
Melania Trump pointed to the COVID-19 safety protocols in place now across the country that have allowed businesses and restaurants to operate and children to go back to school.
"This President is focused on not just destroying the virus, but creating ways for people to safely start gathering with friends again," she said. "This is about mental health as much as it is about the physical well-being of people."
Three days before the election, the Biden team is campaigning too. He plans to hold campaign events in Detroit and Flint, Michigan, with former President Barack Obama.
"President Obama and I left President Trump a playbook on how to deal with pandemics," Biden tweeted Saturday. "He flat-out ignored it. And we're suffering every day because of it."
President Obama and I left President Trump a playbook on how to deal with pandemics. He flat-out ignored it. And we're suffering every day because of it. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 31, 2020
The first lady is expected to make a second appearance at another Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania today at 5 p.m. EDT.
On Thursday, Melania Trump joined her husband on the campaign trail, and she defended him as a proponent of equality in a campaign video on Twitter for a conservative LGBTQ group.
Contributing: Maria Puente


usatoday--2020-10-31--Coronavirus updates: COVID restrictions and lockdowns rise in US and Europe, as Trump's rallies are

A long-feared surge in COVID-19 cases is underway in the U.S. and abroad , leading to a new round of virus-related rules in some areas , restrictions that have quickly met pushback .
The U.S. , now topping 9 million cases , on Friday posted a record number of cases for a single day , 99,321 , and a record 551,167 cases in a week .
A judge in El Paso County , Texas , ordered a two-week shutdown of nonessential services starting at midnight Friday amid growing hospitalizations in the area .
Texas ' attorney general has joined several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
A surge in coronavirus cases has led officials in Harrison County , Iowa — a heavily Republican county — to require people to wear face masks in public .
But Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds has continued this week to downplay efforts to contain the virus and has rejected mask requirements .
Reynolds has said Iowans must learn to live with the virus .
Meanwhile in Europe , hard-hit Belgium imposed a partial lockdown in an attempt to gain control of the virus ' spread .
In France , authorities ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Austria planned to shut hotels and restaurants in a second shutdown .
In London , British prime minister Boris Johnson announced a national , four-week lockdown in England starting Thursday that will close nonessential retail shops , pubs , restaurants and entertainment businesses .
This week , the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted daily U.S. deaths will triple by mid-January , although increased mask use can still save lives and delay the need for social distancing mandates , the influential model said .
📈 Today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 9 million cases and more than 229,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : 45 million cases and 1.18 million deaths .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak in your state .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefingnewsletter .
British prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans Saturday for a four-week national lockdown in England starting next week that will shut pubs , restaurants , entertainment facilities and nonessential businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain open during the period from Thursday until Dec. 2 .
“ Unless we act , we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day , ” Johnson said .
Johnson said that individuals will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons like medical appointments , shopping for essentials , education and work that can not be done from their residence .
“ No one wants to be imposing these kinds of measures anywhere , ” the prime minister said , but added that “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising number of COVID-19 cases .
Professor Chris Whitty , chief medical officer for England , told reporters at a news conference that England is experiencing 50,000 new cases daily and that the figure is rising .
Walt Disney World in Florida to lay off more than 10,000 union workers Walt Disney World in Orlando , Florida , will shed 10,903 unionized employees as part of the 28,000 layoffs that the company has previously announced , it was disclosed Friday in a filing to the state .
Walt Disney Co. blamed the layoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic '' in the document , obtained by Fox 35 TV .
Overall , Disney said its parks and resorts division will lose 11,350 employees in Florida in total , all due to be laid off on Dec. 31 .
The layoffs underscore how deeply the pandemic has cut into tourism .
Walt Disney World reopened in July with new protocols in place to try to protect guests and employees from the coronavirus .
In a blog post Friday , a Disney official said the impacts from the pandemic have lasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , '' wrote Bettina Buckley , vice president of Walt Disney World Live Entertainment , `` we ’ ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated . ''
Instead , she said the resort has created new entertainment choices and experiences .
US hits 9 million COVID-19 cases , far ahead of other countries The United States has hit the 9 million mark when it comes to coronavirus cases , Johns Hopkins University reports .
The U.S. also posted a record for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday — and cases for a single week — 551,167 .
With a count of 9,048,430 cases as of 9 a.m. EDT , the U.S. bests the next highest country , India by more than 911,000 cases .
India comes in at 8,137,119 and Brazil with 5,516,658 cases .
After that comes Russia , France and Spain .
The U.S. also crossed another milestone Saturday , posting 230,009 deaths .
The increase comes amid a surge of new cases in the U.S. as the weather becomes colder .
On Oct. 23 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83,757 new daily cases , according to Johns Hopkins .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign events may have caused some 30,000 new cases of COVID-19 and could lead to 700 deaths , according to a Stanford University study that relied on prediction models to measure the public health impact of more than a dozen rallies .
The study considered the trajectory of coronavirus cases in counties that hosted 18 of Trump ’ s rallies between June 20 and Sept. 22 and attempted to predict the difference in how the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has held more than two dozen rallies since recovering from his own bout with the virus this month – and he is expected to hold several more before Tuesday 's election .
The rallies are held outdoors , usually at airports , and supporters usually are packed in tight .
While some rally attendees wear masks , many do not , including Trump .
A recent USA TODAY analysis showed COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate after at least five of Trump 's rallies since mid-August , including in counties in Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 10 Americans disapprove of Trump 's decision to continue to hold large rallies during the pandemic , a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll found this week , while nearly 64 % approve of Democrat Joe Biden 's decision to jettison those large events .
Trump aides have dismissed concerns raised by public health officials and Democrats , noting that the president ’ s supporters choose to attend .
A California county has reported a case of COVID-19 and flu co-infection — at least the third reported instance of a person having both viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the age of 65 tested positive for both , the Solano County Department of Health and Social Services confirmed this week .
“ With the likelihood of both COVID-19 and seasonal flu activity this winter , contracting either disease may weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to the other disease , ” said Dr. Bela T. Matyas , Solano County 's health officer .
“ Getting a flu vaccine this year is more important than ever , and flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously ill with the flu.
” There has been at least one other case of co-infection reported in California , and one in Texas .
CDC says cruise lines can sail Nov. 1 , but it 's unlikely they will The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will allow cruise ships to sail in U.S. waters starting Sunday .
But even if they do , passengers wo n't be waving goodbye from the deck .
In fact , the agency has n't said when they 'll be allowed back on board .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new `` Framework for Conditional Sailing Order . ''
Published Friday , it “ introduces a phased approach for the safe and responsible resumption for passenger cruises , ” the CDC said in a release provided by spokesperson Cate Shockey .
The first cruises to leave port will be simulation sailings designed to show that ships and crews are in compliance with CDC standards and able to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 onboard .
Subsequent phases will include mock voyages with volunteers such as employees or their family members , Shockey told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be akin to the shakedown cruises that lines do with any new vessel prior to its official maiden voyage .
Trump Jr. says recent COVID-19 deaths are 'almost nothing . '
More than 20K people died this month .
In a Fox News interview Thursday , Donald Trump Jr. wrongly stated that the rate of COVID-19 deaths has declined to “ almost nothing.
” Trump Jr. said during an episode of “ The Ingraham Angle ” that he “ went through the CDC data ” and incorrectly claimed the number of COVID-19 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that its recent data is “ provisional '' and often behind data gathered by counties and other sources .
While COVID-19 deaths have been lower than during their peak in April , new cases continue to march to an all-time high .
Wednesday set a record of new cases , with 88,521 nationwide , per Johns Hopkins ' dashboard .
In the past week , a USA TODAY analysis found that at least four states set a record number of deaths .
Per Johns Hopkins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far in October .
A study published Thursday found that grocery store workers had a heightened risk of COVID-19 infection , with 1 in 5 workers surveyed testing positive and most having asymptotic cases .
Workers who were in roles that involved interacting with customers were five times as likely to test positive , the study , published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine , found .
Three in four who did test positive had no symptoms .
`` This is definitely very alarming as it means that retail grocery store employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as a middleman for the virus — like a superspreader almost , '' researcher Dr. Justin Yang told CNN .
Europe 's outbreak : 10 million cases ; Spain in state of emergency until May European nations have accounted for more than 10 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and broke a weekly record with more than 1.5 million confirmed last week , the World Health Organization ’ s Europe director said Thursday .
“ Europe is at the epicenter of this pandemic once again , ” WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ At the risk of sounding alarmist , I must express our very real concern.
” The Spanish parliament voted to keep a state of emergency intact until May 2021 .
France says its citizens will be confined to half a mile from their homes for the next month , unless they ’ re buying food or going to school or a few other exceptions .
Pope Francis is halting his public general audiences and will limit participation at Christmas .
• In your inbox : Stay up to date with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community about COVID-19 .

Joel Shannon and Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: COVID restrictions and lockdowns rise in US and Europe, as Trump's rallies are blamed for cases
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 symptoms versus flu symptoms We answer the often searched question: "What are the symptoms of coronavirus versus the flu?" USA TODAY
A long-feared surge in COVID-19 cases is underway in the U.S. and abroad, leading to a new round of virus-related rules in some areas, restrictions that have quickly met pushback.
The U.S., now topping 9 million cases, on Friday posted a record number of cases for a single day, 99,321, and a record 551,167 cases in a week.
A judge in El Paso County, Texas, ordered a two-week shutdown of nonessential services starting at midnight Friday amid growing hospitalizations in the area. Texas' attorney general has joined several restaurant owners in suing to block the order.
A surge in coronavirus cases has led officials in Harrison County, Iowa — a heavily Republican county — to require people to wear face masks in public. But Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has continued this week to downplay efforts to contain the virus and has rejected mask requirements. Reynolds has said Iowans must learn to live with the virus.
Meanwhile in Europe, hard-hit Belgium imposed a partial lockdown in an attempt to gain control of the virus' spread. In France, authorities ordered another four-week lockdown that began Friday, and Austria planned to shut hotels and restaurants in a second shutdown.
In London, British prime minister Boris Johnson announced a national, four-week lockdown in England starting Thursday that will close nonessential retail shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment businesses.
This week, the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted daily U.S. deaths will triple by mid-January, although increased mask use can still save lives and delay the need for social distancing mandates, the influential model said.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 9 million cases and more than 229,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 45 million cases and 1.18 million deaths.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
British prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans Saturday for a four-week national lockdown in England starting next week that will shut pubs, restaurants, entertainment facilities and nonessential businesses.
Schools, universities and manufacturing facilities will remain open during the period from Thursday until Dec. 2.
“Unless we act, we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that individuals will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons like medical appointments, shopping for essentials, education and work that cannot be done from their residence.
“No one wants to be imposing these kinds of measures anywhere,” the prime minister said, but added that “no responsible prime minister can ignore” the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, told reporters at a news conference that England is experiencing 50,000 new cases daily and that the figure is rising.
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will shed 10,903 unionized employees as part of the 28,000 layoffs that the company has previously announced, it was disclosed Friday in a filing to the state.
Walt Disney Co. blamed the layoffs on the "continuing business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic" in the document, obtained by Fox 35 TV. Overall, Disney said its parks and resorts division will lose 11,350 employees in Florida in total, all due to be laid off on Dec. 31.
The layoffs underscore how deeply the pandemic has cut into tourism. Walt Disney World reopened in July with new protocols in place to try to protect guests and employees from the coronavirus.
In a blog post Friday, a Disney official said the impacts from the pandemic have lasted longer than expected.
"As a result," wrote Bettina Buckley, vice president of Walt Disney World Live Entertainment, "we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated." Instead, she said the resort has created new entertainment choices and experiences.
The United States has hit the 9 million mark when it comes to coronavirus cases, Johns Hopkins University reports.
The U.S. also posted a record for cases in a single day — 99,231on Friday — and cases for a single week — 551,167.
With a count of 9,048,430 cases as of 9 a.m. EDT, the U.S. bests the next highest country, India by more than 911,000 cases. India comes in at 8,137,119 and Brazil with 5,516,658 cases. After that comes Russia, France and Spain.
The U.S. also crossed another milestone Saturday, posting 230,009 deaths.
The increase comes amid a surge of new cases in the U.S. as the weather becomes colder. On Oct. 23, the nation hit a new one-day record, 83,757 new daily cases, according to Johns Hopkins.
COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
President Donald Trump’s campaign events may have caused some 30,000 new cases of COVID-19 and could lead to 700 deaths, according to a Stanford University study that relied on prediction models to measure the public health impact of more than a dozen rallies.
The study considered the trajectory of coronavirus cases in counties that hosted 18 of Trump’s rallies between June 20 and Sept. 22 and attempted to predict the difference in how the course of the virus changed after the event.
Trump has held more than two dozen rallies since recovering from his own bout with the virus this month – and he is expected to hold several more before Tuesday's election. The rallies are held outdoors, usually at airports, and supporters usually are packed in tight. While some rally attendees wear masks, many do not, including Trump.
A recent USA TODAY analysis showed COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate after at least five of Trump's rallies since mid-August, including in counties in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Nearly 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of Trump's decision to continue to hold large rallies during the pandemic, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll found this week, while nearly 64% approve of Democrat Joe Biden's decision to jettison those large events.
Trump aides have dismissed concerns raised by public health officials and Democrats, noting that the president’s supporters choose to attend.
– John Fritze
A California county has reported a case of COVID-19 and flu co-infection — at least the third reported instance of a person having both viruses in the U.S.
A Solano County resident under the age of 65 tested positive for both, the Solano County Department of Health and Social Services confirmed this week.
“With the likelihood of both COVID-19 and seasonal flu activity this winter, contracting either disease may weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to the other disease,” said Dr. Bela T. Matyas, Solano County's health officer. “Getting a flu vaccine this year is more important than ever, and flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your family, and the community from becoming seriously ill with the flu.”
There has been at least one other case of co-infection reported in California, and one in Texas.
– Grace Hauck
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will allow cruise ships to sail in U.S. waters starting Sunday. But even if they do, passengers won't be waving goodbye from the deck. In fact, the agency hasn't said when they'll be allowed back on board.
That's according to the public health agency's new "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order." Published Friday, it “introduces a phased approach for the safe and responsible resumption for passenger cruises,” the CDC said in a release provided by spokesperson Cate Shockey.
The first cruises to leave port will be simulation sailings designed to show that ships and crews are in compliance with CDC standards and able to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 onboard.
Subsequent phases will include mock voyages with volunteers such as employees or their family members, Shockey told USA TODAY. Those test voyages will be akin to the shakedown cruises that lines do with any new vessel prior to its official maiden voyage.
– Morgan Hines
In a Fox News interview Thursday, Donald Trump Jr. wrongly stated that the rate of COVID-19 deaths has declined to “almost nothing.”
Trump Jr. said during an episode of “The Ingraham Angle” that he “went through the CDC data” and incorrectly claimed the number of COVID-19 deaths has significantly declined.
Notably, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that its recent data is “provisional" and often behind data gathered by counties and other sources.
While COVID-19 deaths have been lower than during their peak in April, new cases continue to march to an all-time high. Wednesday set a record of new cases, with 88,521 nationwide, per Johns Hopkins' dashboard.
In the past week, a USA TODAY analysis found that at least four states set a record number of deaths. Per Johns Hopkins, more than 20,000 people have died so far in October.
– Joshua Bote
A study published Thursday found that grocery store workers had a heightened risk of COVID-19 infection, with 1 in 5 workers surveyed testing positive and most having asymptotic cases.
Workers who were in roles that involved interacting with customers were five times as likely to test positive, the study, published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, found. Three in four who did test positive had no symptoms.
"This is definitely very alarming as it means that retail grocery store employees are exposed to customers and sort of serve as a middleman for the virus — like a superspreader almost," researcher Dr. Justin Yang told CNN.
Europe's outbreak: 10 million cases; Spain in state of emergency until May
European nations have accounted for more than 10 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and broke a weekly record with more than 1.5 million confirmed last week, the World Health Organization’s Europe director said Thursday.
“Europe is at the epicenter of this pandemic once again,” WHO European regional director Dr. Hans Kluge said. “At the risk of sounding alarmist, I must express our very real concern.”
The Spanish parliament voted to keep a state of emergency intact until May 2021. France says its citizens will be confined to half a mile from their homes for the next month, unless they’re buying food or going to school or a few other exceptions. Pope Francis is halting his public general audiences and will limit participation at Christmas.
4 tips to convince kids to wear masks during COVID-19 Here are 4 tips on how to get your kids to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
In your inbox: Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter.
Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. On Facebook: A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
Contributing: The Associated Press