Sunday 4 October 2026
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Early voting begins in midterm elections as Iran war and cost of living dominate campaign

Virginia, Minnesota, Idaho and South Dakota open polls; Trump administration approves $24.3bn F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Early voting has begun in several states for the 2026 US midterm elections, marking the start of a critical campaign stretch as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of Congress. With less than two months until election day, the campaign has increasingly focused on the cost of living and the ongoing war in Iran, while the Trump administration has moved forward with a major arms sale to Saudi Arabia and pursued controversial changes to Washington cultural institutions.

Virginia began early in-person voting on Friday, while voters in Minnesota, Idaho and South Dakota can cast absentee ballots in person. The move opens a crucial phase in the campaign for control of Congress, with Republicans seeking to defend their majorities amid voter frustration over economic pressures and the continuing conflict in Iran.

Separately, the Trump administration has approved a potential sale of 48 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. The State Department said the sale “will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense.” However, the New York Times reported that intelligence agencies have raised concerns that China could potentially gain access to or steal sensitive F-35 technology through Saudi Arabia. A Pentagon Defense Intelligence Agency report questioned whether the US and Saudi Arabia could secure sites with F-35 technology, noted concerns about Chinese military personnel access to Saudi bases, and highlighted the prevalent use of Chinese technology in Saudi telecommunications and defence installations.

Meanwhile, former staff members of the US Institute of Peace have asked a federal appeals court to prevent the Trump administration from engraving the president’s name on the facade of its Washington headquarters, which was renamed the “Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace” last year. Lawyers for the ousted board members argued that the engraving would cause “irreparable harm” by undermining the organisation’s independent mission.

In a separate dispute, a federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to give 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolition that President Trump has threatened. The president said the centre could be “ripped down” amid a dispute over plans to put his name on the building and a proposed $257 million renovation. The centre is currently closed due to what its Trump-backed leadership described as safety issues caused by age and structural deficiencies.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The midterm elections will determine control of Congress and shape the remainder of Trump’s term, with early voting turnout providing an initial signal of voter engagement.
  • The F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia raises national security concerns about Chinese access to advanced US military technology, potentially affecting US strategic interests in the Middle East.
  • The disputes over the US Institute of Peace and Kennedy Center underscore the Trump administration’s ongoing push to imprint its branding on Washington institutions, sparking legal battles over presidential authority and institutional independence.

Background

The 2026 midterm elections come halfway through President Trump’s second term. Republicans currently control both the House and Senate, but Democrats are aiming to flip seats amid voter dissatisfaction over inflation and the Iran war. Early voting has expanded in many states in recent years, making in-person absentee and early voting a key metric for campaign strategists. The Trump administration has pursued an aggressive foreign policy, including the Iran war and arms sales to Gulf allies, while also targeting federal institutions perceived as hostile to the president.

Key Perspectives

Voters: The cost of living and the Iran war are top concerns, with early voting patterns likely reflecting sentiment on these issues. Republicans hope to motivate their base, while Democrats seek to capitalise on discontent. Intelligence and defense officials: Some have flagged risks in the F-35 sale, particularly regarding Chinese espionage and technology transfer, but the administration has prioritised strengthening Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities. Institutional defenders: Ousted board members and legal advocates argue that engraving Trump’s name on the US Institute of Peace and threatening the Kennedy Center undermines the nonpartisan mission of these cultural and peace-focused institutions.

What to Watch

  • Early voter turnout figures in Virginia, Minnesota, Idaho and South Dakota over the coming days as a bellwether for overall election enthusiasm.
  • Congressional reaction to the F-35 sale, particularly from lawmakers concerned about national security implications.
  • Court rulings on the USIP engraving dispute and Kennedy Center renovation notice requirement, which could set precedents for executive authority over independent agencies.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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