21 Million Ballots Cast as Third Carrier Heads for Middle East

The United States is moving a third aircraft carrier into the Middle East region. This deployment occurs as nearly 21 million Americans have already voted in the upcoming midterm elections.

A person briefed on U.S. and Israeli war planning told NPR that the two nations are preparing for a potential attack on Iran. This military action is likely to occur after the November 3 vote. The timing allows the administration to avoid a spike in oil prices before citizens head to the polls.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These moves signal a shift in the tactical posture toward Tehran. The U.S. military is also withdrawing some personnel from the area as heavier fighting may resume in the coming weeks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is ready for both diplomacy and war. Tehran is demanding formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The U.S. and Israel possess the capability to inflict heavy damage, yet Iran shows no indication of making major concessions.

Voting is progressing rapidly in the United States. The University of Florida's Election Lab reports that approximately 21 million ballots were cast by mail or in person by this point. This total increased by about 2 million in a single day. Early voting in key battleground states is running higher than in the previous midterm cycle.

Democrats are currently voting early at higher rates than Republicans. Unaffiliated voters are also participating in significant numbers. Republicans tend to turn out on Election Day, so early figures do not necessarily predict the final results.

A federal judge in California is restricting pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency claims these efforts aim to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. This legal battle adds another layer to the election logistics.

In a separate legal development, a federal magistrate judge ruled that President Trump must sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The suit concerns a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024. The network allegedly edited Trump's Jan. 6 speech to make it appear he incited a violent siege of Congress.

The BBC apologized for the splicing and now seeks to understand Trump's state of mind during the address. Attorneys for the network note that more than 200 Jan. 6 defendants have said the speech motivated them. They are also seeking details on how Trump has profited since returning to the White House to gauge the extent of any damage.

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