Months ago, some questioned whether the U.S. could pull off an election during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. But despite COVID-19, early voting is smashing records: North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan, to name a few crucial states, have either surpassed or were approaching 40% of their overall 2016 turnout, USA TODAY's Joey Garrison reported earlier this week.
That's a lot of voters. A perhaps record number are expected to cast ballots this weekend, either by mail or at early in-person voting sites across the country. (Need help registering to vote? Check our guide.)
As voters head to the polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election, here are important headlines to keep in mind.
If you want a long read: We mailed 64 letters and packages in battleground states to check on mail delays. Here’s what we found.
Quick take: Nationwide, states are grappling with legal challenges surrounding voting policies.
North Carolina Republicans are requesting an intervention over rules permitting mail-in ballots to be received 48 hours after the election.
In Texas and New Jersey, state courts upheld modified election rules — created by state and city legislatures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Also at play: Foreign hackers are at it again, trying to interfere in the election.
Hackers from Russia and Iran are attempting to undermine the election by sending false emails from the far-right, authoritarian group Proud Boys.
Voters are already casting ballots: Numbers compiled by @electproject show 54 million people have voted. In other numbers, the Guardian and ProPublica report 21% of registered voters in swing states have had their mail-in ballots accepted.
We're 10 days from Election Day. USA TODAY is keeping track of what's happening as voters around the country cast ballots. Keep refreshing this page for updates.
Trump votes Saturday in Florida
President Donald Trump voted Saturday in West Palm Beach, he tweeted Saturday morning. Officials said earlier this week that he had plans to vote there while campaIt's the first time an incumbent president will cast his vote in Florida. That is a departure for Trump, who cast absentee ballots in the March presidential primary and then in the Aug. 18 primary election.
Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, cast their ballots Friday in Indianapolis. They used the absentee ballots they had requested in early September.
Trump casting a vote in Palm Beach County will be part of a historic, blockbuster political weekend in Florida. Trump spoke Friday in The Villages, a conservative community north of Orlando, and in Pensacola. Pence also stumped in Florida. On Saturday, former President Barack Obama will rally the Democratic faithful in Miami.
– Antonio Fins, The Palm Beach Post and Chris Sikich, Indianapolis Star
He moved out in 2016. Why Mike Pence uses the Indiana governor's mansion address to vote
Michigan ban on hiring transportation to bring voters to the polls upheld
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has ruled in favor of Michigan's Republican-led legislature, reinstating the state's ban on hiring transportation to carry voters to the polls after a state court issued an injunction against the Michigan law.
The law prohibits voter advocacy organizations from paying for transportation to bring voters to the polls and ride-sharing companies such as Lyft and Uber from offering discounted rides to Michigan voters on Election Day. It does not prohibit volunteers from driving voters to the polls for free.
– Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press
Voters in Delaware don't have to wear masks at the polls
Despite Delaware Gov. John Carney's requirement that residents wear face coverings in public, mask-less voters will be able to walk into polling places to cast their ballots on Election Day. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required when voting. Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence said the decision was made in consultation with the state Department of Justice. (Read also: At the polls in New York, Joe2020 hats are a no but BLM shirts and MAGA hats are OK.)
While elections officials want to provide the safest environment possible, voting is a fundamental right, Albence said. He described the rule as "trying to balance everyone’s needs and everyone’s concerns."
"We don’t deny anyone’s right to vote if they don’t wear a mask," Albence said. "We really strongly encourage it. It is not an absolute requirement."
– Sarah Gamard, Delaware News Journal
Election problems: What to keep in mind
This cheat sheet from Columbia Journalism Review offers tips for media organizations reporting on Election 2020.
Voting problems aren't failures. They happen every year and, as CJR notes, hiccups such as voting machines not working or polling places opening late don't mean anything is "rigged."
Some problems, however, are significant. CJR recommends the media scrutinize areas that have a history of voter suppression or obstructing minority voters, calling out Georgia as a place to monitor.
Don'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 don't have to be reported to the federal level until Dec. 8. Additionally, the Electoral College doesn’t meet until Dec. 14.
Federal case over where Ohio drop boxes could be installed dismissed
After two lawsuits and months of legal arguments, Ohio's battle over multiple drop boxes is officially over.
Ohio Democrats and voting rights groups can claim one victory: Multiple courts found Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, could install multiple drop boxes for voters to deposit their ballots.
But he was not required to do so and in the end, LaRose didn't allow off-site drop boxes this election. On Friday, the federal case disputing where drop boxes could be installed was dismissed, ending a several-month legal fight.
Earlier in the month, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked a ruling that would have allowed multiple collection sites for Ohioans' ballots.
– Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer
How to vote in 2020? This is the best way, according to experts and activists
With the election less than two weeks away, voting rights advocates, conservatives and community activists are urging the millions of voters who haven't voted yet to cast their ballots in person at the polls or at absentee ballot drop boxes.
The 2020 election is on track for record voter turnout as the nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic, a fight for racial equality and an economic recession. More than 53 million people have already voted. But voters, particularly people of color and the elderly, are concerned about the health risk of voting in person and their vote being fairly counted.
People of color are dying of COVID-19 at higher rates than white people. Voting rights groups have accused Republican lawmakers of suppressing Black and Latino voters with long lines in urban communities and restrictive voter laws while President Donald Trump maintains that mail-in voting is susceptible to fraud.
– Nicquel Terry Ellis
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Voting 2020 news: Trump votes in Florida; Ohio drop box case