1. Early voting underway in several states ahead of November 5 election
2. Rep. Rooney (R-Fla.) is 24th U.S. House member to announce he’s not seeking re-election in 2020
3. 72% of Brew readers have served on a jury

Early voting underway in several states ahead of November 5 election

Election Day in all states holding statewide contests this year (except Louisiana) is two weeks away, on November 5. Early voting periods in those states allow voters to cast in-person or absentee ballots without providing an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day.

Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting. Another three states—Colorado, Oregon, and Washington—use all-mail voting systems, meaning ballots are sent to voters through the mail and most are returned by mail.

The following states permit early in-person voting and are holding statewide elections in November 2019.  

• Kansas: Early voting begins between Oct. 16 and Oct. 29, varying by county. Early voting ends Nov. 4 at 12 p.m.

• Maine: Voters may vote absentee 30 days before the election at their municipal clerk’s office until Oct. 31.

• New Jersey: Voters may apply in person for a mail-in ballot at their county clerk’s office—known as in-person absentee voting—and submit the ballot in person. The deadline to apply in person is Nov. 4 at 3 p.m., and the deadline to return the ballot is Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.

• Texas: Early voting began Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1.

• Colorado and Washington use all-mail voting. In both states, voters may drop off completed ballots or vote in person ahead of Election Day. Ballots were mailed out by Oct. 18.

• Louisiana holds statewide general elections November 16. Early voting for those races begins Nov. 2 and ends Nov. 9. 

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Rep. Rooney (R-Fla.) is 24th U.S. House member to announce he’s not seeking re-election in 2020 

Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) announced October 19 that he would not seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2020. He was first elected to Congress after winning an open-seat race to replace Rep. Curt Clawson (R) in 2016. Rooney was re-elected in 2018 with 62.3% of the vote. 

In announcing his decision, Rooney said, "I've done what I came to do. And I want to be a model for term limits. [...] I thought the idea was you came and did your public service and left, you accomplish what you want to accomplish and you left. And that’s what I want to be an example to do. And I’m also really tired of the intense partisanship that seems to stop us from solving the big questions that America needs solved." 

Twenty-four U.S. House members—18 Republicans and six Democrats—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2020. Six of them—four Republicans and two Democrats—are running for another office.

The chart below shows the number of U.S. House members from each party who did not seek re-election between 2012 and 2018.

Democrats hold a 234-197 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies and one independent member. In November 2020, all 435 seats will be up for election. 

72% of Brew readers have served on a jury

I’ve really enjoyed the responses to our What’s the Tea? questions over the last few weeks. We’ve been asking Brew readers about their participation in politics and government. In the weeks ahead, we’ll ask whether you’ve ever signed a candidate or initiative petition or attended government meetings at the county, state, or federal level. 

Last week’s question asked whether you have ever served on a jury, and 72% of respondents said they had. It was one of our most-replied to questions since we started this feature, so thanks to everyone for participating!  

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