7.7 million vote early in Texas; 1 day to US midterms as democrats rally around Sayed amid attacks

Campaign dispute intensifies

Democratic and Republican leaders stepped up efforts to mobilise voters ahead of Tuesday’s elections. All 435 House seats and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested, along with governorships in 36 states.

Democrats back El-Sayed

Democratic leaders have rallied behind El-Sayed, who has faced Islamophobic attacks during the campaign. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised Stevens’s endorsement and said Democrats were united behind El-Sayed, arguing he would defend working families’ economic interests in Michigan.

A statement also said Stevens did not speak for Michigan’s Jewish community and rejected what it called her attempt to divide the community two days before the election. The text does not identify who issued the statement.

Trump praises Stevens

At a rally in Iowa on Sunday, President Donald Trump said he would welcome Stevens joining the Republican Party. He praised her remarks as an act of bravery. Polling indicated El-Sayed had largely consolidated Democratic support, according to Reuters.

Alaska and Texas voting

A federal judge dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit seeking to stop Alaska from certifying a loss by Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The administration argued that a rival with the same name on the ballot could affect the result. Sullivan, an ally of Trump, told CNN on Sunday, “I’m going to accept the election results.” Texas, a key battleground, has seen a sharp increase in early voting, with more than 7.7 million people casting ballots early.