Third carrier deploys as early votes top 21 million

The United States is deploying a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as military officials prepare for potential conflict with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A source briefed on the war planning told NPR that the U.S. and Israel are coordinating for an attack that may occur after the midterm elections. President Donald Trump is expected to delay major military action until after November 3 to prevent a spike in oil prices before voters cast their ballots.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is prepared for both diplomacy and war. Tehran is demanding formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. The United States and Israel possess the capacity to inflict heavy damage on Iran, yet Tehran has shown no indication of making major concessions. This military buildup coincides with a surge in domestic voting activity.

Nearly 21 million Americans have cast ballots by mail or in person, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab. This total increased by approximately 2 million in a single day. Early voting in key battleground states is currently higher than during the previous midterm cycle. Democrats are voting at higher rates than Republicans, while unaffiliated voters are also participating at increased levels. Republicans traditionally turn out on Election Day, so early figures may not predict the final outcome.

Legal and economic pressures continue to shape the political landscape. A federal magistrate judge ruled that President Trump must sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The judge ordered Trump to comply with court rules or face sanctions. The lawsuit stems from a Panorama broadcast that allegedly edited his January 6 speech to suggest he incited a violent siege of Congress. BBC attorneys argue that more than 200 defendants in that case cited the speech as a motivation for their actions.

Grocery prices remain a focal point for voters. While some items have seen price drops, overall costs have risen due to labor expenses, tariffs, and energy prices linked to the conflict with Iran. Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, marking an 85% increase over the past decade. Eggs fell to $2.27 per dozen following a record high of $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, a 17.3% drop from the previous year due to oversupply. Coffee prices remain 44% higher than two years ago despite the removal of related tariffs.