A Last Word on Virginia  —  Dear Readers: Join us Thursday, Nov. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for our annual American Democracy Conference.  The virtual event will begin with a presentation by Project Home Fire's Larry Schack and Mick McWilliams on our ongoing polling and data analytics project.

Virginia Buries an Enduring Political Myth  —  The political universe Tuesday night will look a lot like the start of a NASCAR auto race, with the Virginia governor's election serving as the starting gun for the next year — or two or three — of campaign diagnostics.

Why Democrats are in a lot of trouble in Virginia  —  Candidates make closing arguments in tight VA governor race  —  (CNN)Virginia will have the eyes of the political world on it Tuesday night.  Most of the attention will be on the marquee gubernatorial election between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin.

Supreme Court Appears Open to Letting Providers Challenge Texas Abortion Law  —  The Supreme Court heard two challenges on Monday to the law, which bars most abortions in Texas after about six weeks of pregnancy.  The first was brought by abortion providers in Texas, and the second was brought by the Justice Department.