Explainers
How election rules and procedures work, in plain language.
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5 State Supreme Court Races to Watch on Election Day
Twenty-three states are electing state supreme court justices on November 3. Control of a court is directly at stake in only a few, but races in Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina and Washington could shape the courts that decide abortion, redistricting and voting cases.
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Election Day Weather: Rain and Storms Forecast
Forecasters expect rain across much of the Midwest and possible severe storms from Texas to the Mississippi Valley on Election Day. Here’s where, which close races are in the forecast area, and what research says about weather and turnout.
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What the Justice Department Has Done in the Final Weeks Before the Midterms
From a lawsuit over Alaska’s Senate certification to charges against a Virginia state senator, the Justice Department has taken a series of politically sensitive actions in October. Here’s a timeline, what the department says, what critics say, and the norms at issue.
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Vance Says ‘There’s a Chance’ He Won’t Run in 2028
At a CBS News town hall in Michigan, Vice President JD Vance said he hasn’t decided whether to run for president in 2028, citing his family, and said he’ll think about it after the November 3 midterms. Here’s what he said and where early 2028 polling stands.
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44% of Americans Had Trouble Paying for a Basic Necessity in the Past Year, Pew Finds
A new Pew survey finds 44% of U.S. adults had trouble paying for medical care, transportation, housing or food in the past year. Here’s what the numbers show, what they don’t, and how they fit the cost-of-living debate three weeks before the midterms.
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How a Discharge Petition Works — and Why It Rarely Succeeds
A discharge petition lets a House majority force a vote over leadership’s objections. Here’s how it works, why most fail, and what the 2025 Epstein files petition showed.
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How Election Recounts Work, and How Often They Change the Winner
Recount rules are set state by state. Here’s what triggers one, how it’s done, and what 24 years of data say about how often recounts flip a result.
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What Happens After Election Day: Counting, Canvassing and Certification
Election night results are unofficial. Here’s how votes are counted, checked and certified in the weeks after a midterm, and why some races take days to call.