Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption American politics - 30 miles, three very different view points.

The US mid-term elections in just over two weeks' time will help define the rest of Donald Trump's presidency.

Americans will vote for members of both chambers of Congress, as well as for governors in 36 out of 50 states.

Between now and then, we'll bring you updates and all the best analysis every weekday in this round-up.

Today we look at the mystery of a vanishing candidate, a Trump bump and a beautiful friendship.

One thing that's missing

Here is some advice one Democratic candidate in Arkansas was not expecting to be issuing: don't use your ballot if your candidate is not on it.

Polls were closed for an hour in Garland County when it was discovered that the name of Susan Inman, who is vying to be the Arkansas secretary of state, was omitted from ballot papers.

She told local media that the error was a "monumental mistake". A complaint has been lodged.

The duties of the Arkansas secretary of state include administering elections.

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One big number

President Trump's approval rating has hit a new high in an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll - 47%, which is the highest it has been in that particular poll since he took office. It is also more than his predecessor Barack Obama had before his first mid-terms.

FiveThirtyEight also has him at the highest point since month three of his presidency.

Many pundits are putting the Trump bump down to the confirmation battle of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which they say has fired up conservatives.

The president has made these mid-term elections all about him, urging his supporters to imagine he is on the ballot.

We have been asking Americans from a dozen states what impact he has had on them while in office.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption How Americans think Trump affects their life

With the president's popularity rising and the polls tightening in some key races, this New York Times columnist considers the prospect of Republicans keeping control of everything on 6 November.

One quote

"He's not Lyin' Ted anymore. He's Beautiful Ted."

You know who, on you know who.

Get a room, chaps.