We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis is threatening our ability to keep producing the quality reporting you've come to love. If you’re able, please consider making a monthly contribution to the Mercury.

Election worker Sarah Sladek empties a box of submitted ballots at the Multnomah County Elections Office yesterday.
Election worker Sarah Sladek empties a box of submitted ballots at the Multnomah County Elections Office yesterday. Nathan Howard / Getty images

Good morning, Portland! If you're feeling anxious on this perfectly ordinary Tuesday morning, then let the early election results from Dixville Notch, New Hampshire—which has five registered voters—soothe you:

Aaaaand here are the rest of the headlines.

• HAVE YOU VOTED YET?! Multnomah County has already seen record early turnout—but you still have until 8 pm today to drop your ballot in a handy ballot box. Find a convenient drop location here. Still not sure which way to vote on that one City Council race or ballot measure? Our endorsements might help you make your choice.

• "Oh boy, tonight is going to be fun!" is something that only a glutton for punishment local journalist would say on Election Day. But if you want the inside scoop on all the local campaign Zoom parties, latest election results, election-related protests, and tips how how to not panic, you should plan to follow the Mercury's election night liveblog. Our coverage will start around 7 pm.

• Speaking of election-related protests: Gov. Kate Brown announced yesterday that she is putting Portland in the hands of the Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office this week. Also, Portland police will be allowed to use tear gas on protesters. That certainly makes me feel safe!

• Worth a good, long read:

• Nike announced this week that it plans to lay off 700 people from its corporate offices in Washington County. This isn't because sales are down—in fact, they're up. Rather, it's because Nike is pursuing a new sales strategy that apparently necessitates mass layoffs.

• Donald Trump has been publicly insisting that the United States is "turning the corner" on COVID-19 as part of his election strategy. But a new internal White House memo suggests that the US could soon be entering the "most deadly phase" of the pandemic.

• A judge in Wisconsin has determined that Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse is a flight risk, thanks to the public support he's received from many right-wing figures and networks. The judge set his bail at $2 million yesterday. Rittenhouse faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

• Mail delivery of ballots seems to have gone rather smoothly for Oregonians this year, despite concerns about slowed-down mail service. But in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, the USPS has struggled to deliver ballots on time—and that could impact the results of the election.

• Will we know whether Biden or Trump won before going to bed tonight? All signs point to "no," particularly if it's a close race that comes down to two or three swing states. That doesn't mean Trump won't be quick to declare victory, however—but some progressive organizations have a plan in place in case an attempted coup happens.

• Time capsule: