Good afternoon and welcome back to another day on the presidential campaign trail.
This is our daily wrap, making sure you’re caught up on the latest election developments.
In today’s wrap, we take a look at the backlash from Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, arson attacks on ballot boxes and how much Americans really trust their election process.
Let’s get into it.
Puerto Rico joke ‘does not reflect’ Trump campaign, says adviser
The Trump campaign has issued a statement distancing itself from comments about Puerto Rico made at the former president’s Madison Square Garden rally.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, speaking before Donald Trump took to the stage, labelled the US territory as a “floating island of garbage”.
The comments, along with other racist and sexist remarks made by other speakers, sparked backlash from Puerto Rican celebrities, politicians and others.
Among those were rapper Bad Bunny, singer Ricky Martin and actress Jennifer Lopez.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, on a live-stream with congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, labelled Mr Hinchcliffe “a jack-wad”.
“People in Puerto Rico are citizens,” he said.
“They pay taxes and serve in the military at almost a higher rate than anybody else.”
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Ms Ocasio-Cortez, whose parents are Puerto Rican, told the more than 12,000 people watching: “I need people to understand … that’s what they think about you.
“It’s what they think of anyone who makes less money than them. It’s what they think about people who serve them food in a restaurant. It’s what they think about people who fold their clothes in a store. Dude, are you serious?”
While Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and its citizens are not able to vote in the election, there are large Puerto Rican populations in several key states, including Pennsylvania.
Puerto Ricans who live in the United States are eligible to vote, and both campaigns have made an effort to target the almost six-million strong community.
In Pennsylvania, the sizeable Puerto Rican community is large enough to tip the state one way or the other — potentially impacting the election outcome.
A senior adviser to the Trump campaign said in a statement the joke “does not reflect the views of president Trump or the campaign.”
Mr Trump’s vice-presidential pick JD Vance said while the comment “maybe [was] a stupid, racist joke”, Americans needed to “stop getting so offended”.
According to CNN, the rally’s speeches were largely read from a teleprompter and were meant to be vetted by campaign staff beforehand.
New York Republican congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who is Puerto Rican, said on social media he was proud of his heritage.
“It’s a beautiful island with a rich culture and an integral part of the USA,” he said.
“The only thing that’s ‘garbage’ was a bad comedy set. Stay on message.”
Multiple ballot boxes set alight in suspected arson attacks
Police are investigating after two apparent arson attacks on ballot drop boxes in separate US states.
A ballot box in Portland, Oregon, was set alight at 3.30am on Monday local time, after “an incendiary device” was put inside.
An hour later, a ballot box in Vancouver, Washington, also caught fire, destroying hundreds of ballots.
Police say a suspicious device was found next to the box.
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In the Portland fire, the blaze triggered powdered fire suppressant canisters inside, protecting almost all ballots.
Election officials have called on those who voted after a certain time to submit a replacement ballot, which would be checked against the electoral role to prevent any double-ups.
A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said a “suspect vehicle” had been identified via security footage.
It’s believed the attacks could be linked. The FBI is investigating both incidents.
It follows another arson attack at a Phoenix postal collection box last week.
Photo of the day
President Joe Biden cast his vote at a polling booth in Delaware. (Reuters: Craig Hudson)
President Joe Biden stood in line with dozens of early voters in Delaware to cast his ballot for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, his current vice-president.
Given just a few months ago he had been vying for a second term himself, he was asked whether the moment was bittersweet.
“No, this is just sweet,” he told media.
Americans say democracy under threat in new poll
More than 75 per cent of voters surveyed say American democracy is under threat, according to a new poll by the New York Times and Siena College.
The research institute surveyed 2,516 voters across the US between October 20 to 23.
Almost half of those surveyed also said American democracy did not do a “good job representing the people”.
A further 62 per cent said the government was mostly working to benefit itself and elites, rather than the common good.
‘Swifties for Trump’ on conservative movement
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