U.S.THE PILE-ON
Millions of Americans have already voted early in midterms
CBS News elections director Anthony Salvanto and Sabato's Crystal Ball editor Kyle Kondik offered analysis of the early turnout; experts say counting ballots is not calling races.
Watch it as it aired: Dale Bearman, Dr. Nina Byte and Vera Bullock on this story, from The Pile-On at 6:27 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are CBS News's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance
- First reported by CBS News: “Millions of Americans have already voted early in midterms”.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:27 PM ET on The Pile-On, by Dale Bearman, Dr. Nina Byte and Vera Bullock.
- Topics: Americans.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentVoters nationwide have cast three point six million early ballots, with twenty-one days to go until the November elections.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThree weeks early. People are voting before the candidates have finished lying to them, and I think they know something we don't.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOr they're organized, Dale. Three point six million people got their errands done while you were still looking for your good pen.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorLet me finish.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe early voter has seen the polls, the early voter has seen the future, and the early voter is quietly moving to Portugal.

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThere's no evidence of that. The count tells us how many ballots are in, and it says nothing about who is winning.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt says people care!

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDemocracy is having its best prom turnout in years, and I will not have it ruined by a man who brings his own tea.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorProm ends with somebody crying in a parking lot, Vera.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich is why we vote early.

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCBS has analysts on this tonight, and they will say exactly what I'm saying: three point six million is a count, and it doesn't pick a winner.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorFine, but I haven't voted yet, and I'm already certain it's too late.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNeither have I.
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