On Politics

Thu Oct 17 2024

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

It's almost the weekend! I'm Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. As an emo music connoisseur, I have a lot of thoughts on Vans' Warped Tour returning next year.

We're 19 days out from Election Day. Republican Donald Trump is in New York City today for the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. And Democrat Kamala Harris is making several stops in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, La Crosse and Green Bay. Follow along here for all of today's updates on the election.

Voters who haven't yet made up their minds could decide the presidential race

In just a couple of weeks, we'll know who will be the next United States' president (probably). But before that, there is a small percentage of voters who are still trying to figure out who they will support come Nov. 5. One undecided voter, 69-year-old Jacques Lemoyne of Pennsylvania, called himself a "reluctant voter" – because he doesn't like his options but will still cast a ballot. Read more.

And those are just some of the voters Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are hoping to reach in their recent media appearances on Fox News and Univision, respectively.

•	Harris in a combative Fox News interview was pressed on immigration and what her differences are from Biden
•	Trump repeated false claims about Haitian migrants and was asked about immigration policy during Univision town hall with undecided Latino voters.

Trump also gave his review of Harris' Fox News interview: two thumbs down.

A politics pit stop

•	2024 election odds: Bets for Trump jump as Harris trails in battleground polls
•	Kamala Harris' campaign rebuts plagiarism claims
•	Secret Service 'complacent' before Trump shooting, independent panel recommends overhaul
•	Watch: More voters are using absentee ballots to vote, but will it lead to more double voting?
•	'No authority': Georgia election board loses again in court as judge strikes down 7 rules

From Texas to Maryland, these longshot Senate races could shake up 2024

All eyes have been on the presidential election. But the battle to control the U.S. Senate could be shaken up by a couple of long-shot challengers. Could a Democrat be elected in Texas? Will Nebraska's incumbent Republican Senator lose to an populist independent candidate? Here's what to know about these long-shot campaigns. Read more.

On Politics asks, you answer: Have you cast your ballot?

An early voting polling location opened up near my apartment yesterday. So I decided I would stop in and cast my ballot. It took no more than 10 minutes. Now, On Politics Readers, have you cast your ballot or are you planning to go on Election Day? Or maybe, you don't plan on voting at all. Let me know your plans!

An "I voted" sticker from an Arlington County, Virginia's early voting location.

Rebecca Morin/USA TODAY

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.

Israel says it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar attends a rally in support of Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque in Gaza City on Oct. 1, 2022.

Sinwar, a U.S.-designated terrorist, is regarded as the architect of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The death drew comparisons to the killing of Osama bin Laden.

READ MORE