US midterm election day begins, with first polls opening in Vermont

■ Steady

US midterm voting begins as Supreme Court rejects bid to block California ballot count

Voting in the US midterm elections began on Tuesday, with the first polls opening in Vermont. On Monday the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's attempt to force California to set aside about 20,000 ballots that the Justice Department says come from non-citizens. Lower courts had already sided with California officials, who said the federal government was interfering in state elections. More than 50 million early votes have been cast, a record.

• The Justice Department had asked the court on Monday to stop California counting mail-in ballots from 20,000 voters it believes are non-citizens, raising fears that federal law enforcement powers are being used in a partisan way.
• A judge ruled on Saturday that the administration must stop threatening election officials over ballots of possible non-citizen voters.
• Three progressive Democrats from New York City are expected to win House seats, according to a report.
• Democratic Senator Chris Murphy had a stroke and is reported to be alert; he is not up for re-election.
• DW reports Trump is alleging electoral fraud after setbacks for allies in Serbia, Brazil and Israel.