| | | | | Poll workers attach a sign as they set up a voting station at Laguna Beach City Hall in Orange County, California, before the polls opened Tuesday. Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images | | | It's Election Day: No one knows what's going to happen
Our Daily Melania: FLOTUS tweets "Vote Red" after avoiding campaign trail
How Taylor Swift Turned Her Instagram Into a Get-Out-The-Vote Fan Page: Her 30 days of GOTV posts | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump is scheduled to spend the day in the Executive Residence, watching election news. There are no public events on his calendar.
The President and first lady Melania Trump have invited family and friends over later tonight to watch the results, press secretary Sarah Sanders said.
Per CNN White House reporter Sarah Westwood: President Trump is expected today to stop by the "war room" his political team has set up for Election Day, according to a source familiar with the President's schedule for the day. The war room is in the East Wing, a senior White House official said. Aides will spend the day there keeping tabs on voting.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
🚨 IT'S ELECTION DAY🚨
If You're Obsessed:
CNN will be livestreaming election coverage without having to log in. Evening television coverage starts at 5pm and will go until the end of the very end and all the votes are tallied -- or at least the votes that don't require a recount. Here's a handy guide on how to watch everything, via television or digital or on your phone. There could be some historic firsts for the country by the end of the night.
Or, If You Just Want To Keep An Eye on Things:
But if you're more like wanting to know what's up every now and then as the night goes on, here's another handy guide on when to check in.
Either Way, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN:
Which is why it's... exciting? Sam Feist, CNN's trusted bureau chief and basically a political savant, said in this excellent Politico read, "We're ready for every outcome." And there's always Harry Enten.
Our Daily Melania:
So, Melania Trump went through the entire midterm election run-up without making one campaign appearance or attending one fundraiser. It's remarkable for a few reasons, notably because Trump is down among women, and she has high favorables, and all of the modern first ladies before her have hit the trail to stump for candidates, or at least the party. Last night, the President brought out Ivanka Trump during his three rallies, and he also called up Sarah Sanders and Kellyanne Conway to speak to the crowds. I personally find it so fascinating that the first lady simply wouldn't adjust her schedule (the reason the White House gave me as to why she isn't campaigning) to appear. This morning, however, Melania did tweet this: | | Credit: @FLOTUS/Twitter
New York Post Cover:
This kind of sums it up. | | Credit: nypost.com
Remember Major Brent Taylor:
The body of American hero Major Brent Taylor returned to US soil today, arriving at Dover, Delaware. His widow, Jennie, and two of the couple's seven children were there. Taylor's story has just stuck in my brain these past few days and I thought about him as I cast my ballot this morning. It's not about party -- I will be friends with you no matter who you vote for -- it's about exercising the right that Taylor fought and died for. I think that's a wonderful thing about America. This photograph shows the early morning dignified transfer ceremony of Taylor's remains at Dover Air Force Base 🇺🇸: | | Credit: Mark Makela/Getty Images
And Here's Some More Voting Motivation from Winnie:
She came with me this morning so I let her wear the sticker. | | What America is Talking About: - It's Election Day in America
- People magazine named Idris Elba its 2018 Sexiest Man Alive. He tweeted that he was "honoured & thankful" and added, "What's even more important is your vote in the midterm elections. Your vote can make a difference!"
- Amazon is reportedly finalizing plans to split its HQ2 between Arlington, Virginia, and Long Island City, New York.
- The new Gawker, acquired by the owner of Bustle, is up in beta, and it's not the old Gawker.
Poll of the Day:
Democrats are more worried about the election than Republicans, according to a Gallup poll released today. Among Democrats and Democratic leaners, 81% said they are very or somewhat worried, compared with 66% of Republicans and Republican leaners. | | Credit: Gallup
Where You Can and Can't Take Polling Place Selfies:
Before you snap a pic while voting, check here to see if your state has rules against it.
US Intel Wants You To "Think Before You Link":
The FBI, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and office of the Director of National Intelligence released a joint statement Monday saying they've been working for two years in "unprecedented ways to combat influence efforts and to support state and local officials in securing our elections," but warned that foreign actors, and particularly Russia, still want to sow discord, including by spreading false information.
Their tips: 1. Get election information straight from state and local election offices and 2. Think before sharing election-related news ("Know your source—and think before you link. Compare reporting from multiple sources to determine reliable information. Before sharing, ask yourself, "Who wrote it? Who posted it? What are their sources?").
2018's Hottest Voting Meme is...:
"Me voting in 2016 vs. me voting in 2018." Here are some of most liked examples off Twitter: | | Credit: @JenniferReitman/@louislane79/@TheDweck/Twitter
Google's Election Day Doodle:
It links to search results for "Where do I vote #ElectionDay." | | Credit: Google
Rihanna Sent Trump a Cease-and-Desist:
"As you are or should be aware, Ms. Fenty has not provided her consent to Mr. Trump to use her music. Such use is therefore improper." So reads in part the letter sent by attorneys for Bajan ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty to Trump over his use of "Please Don't Stop The Music" at a rally in Tennessee Sunday, obtained by Rolling Stone.
How Taylor Swift Turned Her Instagram Into a Get-Out-The-Vote Fan Page:
Taylor Swift announced for the first time ever who she would vote for on October 7, exactly 30 days before the election. Since then, she's continued to encourage her fans to vote and celebrated when they did, almost entirely on Instagram stories, which vanish after 24 hours.
Swift has reposted #justvoted photos from more than 100 people, including a few you might recognize: Abigail Anderson (her BFF who was mentioned in "Fifteen"), Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Justin Timberlake, and Kesha. | | Credit: @taylorswift/Instagram story
Her message today, on Instagram story: "I'm seeing a lot of underestimation of young voters and this new generation who now have the right to vote just in the last couple of years, but these are people who grew up post 9/11 and they grew up with school shooting drills at their schools. These are people who want to vote. It's not enough to want change, it's not enough to want to vote, you have to go and make change by voting and today is your opportunity to do that."
Street Art Sighting:
Artist Jessica Ingram made this billboard in Jackson, Mississippi, for the 50 State Initiative campaign by the group For Freedoms, referencing Vernon Dahmer, a businessman and civil rights leader.
In 1966, a year after the Voting Rights Act had passed protecting voting rights against barriers meant to keep black Americans from voting, Dahmer announced he would collect poll taxes at his grocery store so people wouldn't have to go to the courthouse, and he offered to pay the tax for people who couldn't afford it. The next day, he was killed in a firebomb attack of his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, by KKK members. His voter registration card arrived after he was killed.
"He couldn't go vote, so go vote for him," Ingram said. | | Credit: Hubert Worley
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE.
P.S.:
One pop star who's been noticeably quiet about the election this year is Beyoncé. But the singer sent a message with a link to vote.org to her email list last night: | | | | | | |
