As the U.S. midterm elections near on November 5, more than 28 million Americans have already cast their ballots in early voting across multiple states. This surge in early voting has been observed not only in key swing states but in many others, according to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab. The popularity of mail-in voting has been a major factor, with more Democrats using this method compared to Republicans, who hold a slight lead in in-person early voting numbers.
In states like Georgia and North Carolina, early voting has set new records. Georgia saw over 25% of active voters participate early, according to Gabe Sterling, Georgia’s Chief Operating Officer. North Carolina recorded more than 353,000 voters on the first day of early voting, surpassing its 2020 record. Similarly, in Nevada, over 397,000 ballots have been cast, with 40% coming from registered Republicans, indicating a strong interest in shaping the election results through early voting.
David Becker, Executive Director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told CBS News that while early voting trends provide insight into voter engagement, they don’t necessarily predict final outcomes, as voters’ party affiliations may not align with their final choices. This surge in early voting also reflects an expansion in accessibility: in 2000, only 24 states offered early voting options, a number that has since grown to 47 in the 2024 election cycle.
Early voting has become essential for election management and security, reducing long lines on Election Day and helping voters avoid last-minute challenges. Additionally, it minimizes the influence of potential misinformation, giving voters more control over their choices. The current early voting numbers, while slightly lower than the record 60 million early voters by October 25 in the 2020 “unicorn election,” still reflect a high level of civic engagement.
Notably, while the 2020 election saw skepticism surrounding mail-in ballots, this year has seen mixed messages from former President Donald Trump, who previously opposed early voting. Recently, however, Trump encouraged his supporters to vote early, signaling a strategic shift. The Republican National Committee has also been actively promoting early voting to reduce wait times on Election Day, with leaders like Lara Trump urging voters to “bank their vote.”
