As the November 3 midterm elections approach, a historic surge in early voting is taking place across the United States. Over 18 million voters have already cast their ballots nationwide, according to the University of Florida's U.S. Elections Project. Notably, Democratic voters are leading this early turnout.
The partisan disparity is particularly striking: 47.4% of early ballots have been submitted by registered Democrats, compared to 29.2% by Republicans, based on the same academic source.
Early voting has commenced in more than 30 states, breaking historical records in many. In Texas, for instance, Harris County—the state's largest—saw 104,000 votes on the first day of early voting, a record for a midterm election. Meanwhile, Dallas County surpassed its own previous record. By the end of Thursday, Texas had nearly 1.8 million early ballots.
Georgia and North Carolina are also witnessing extraordinary numbers: Georgia has reached 1.3 million early votes, nearly 30% of its total in 2022, while North Carolina is close to 1.1 million, almost 25% of its turnout from four years ago.
California leads the nation with 2 million early votes, followed by Texas with 1.8 million and Florida with 1.7 million. In Florida, 1,686,239 votes are accounted for, including 554,100 in-person and 1,132,139 by mail, representing 22% of the total turnout in 2022. Among these, 41% are from registered Democrats, 38% from Republicans, and 21% from other voters, though these percentages don't reveal candidate preferences.
Nationally, over 10.6 million votes have been mailed in, while 7.5 million have been cast in person. The strong Democratic enthusiasm is influenced by political circumstances: Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted during his second term, affected by the Iran conflict, high fuel prices, rising living costs, and controversial immigration policies.
National polls show Democrats holding an 8 to 11 point advantage in the generic congressional ballot, with the Cook Political Report predicting Democratic gains of 5 to 15 seats, enough to seize control of the House from Republicans, who currently hold a 218 to 214 advantage.
The Latino vote is a significant focus in these elections. Surveys by NBC News and Telemundo indicate that 59% of Hispanic voters prefer Democratic control of Congress, compared to 35% for Republicans, with Trump's approval among Hispanics dropping to 27%.
In Florida, home to 6.7 million Hispanics, early voting began in Miami-Dade on October 19, with 28 centers open and already accounting for nearly 20% of the total from 2022. Statewide early voting will be mandatory starting October 24.
Despite Trump's unsuccessful attempts to impose restrictions on mail-in voting—a method favoring Democrats and frequently used by Latinos due to work constraints—new states continue to join the early voting process. Maryland began on Thursday, and New York will follow suit on October 24. In total, 47 states and Washington D.C. allow early voting without needing a specific excuse, with Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire requiring documented reasons.
The timeline for early voting varies by state; some conclude on October 29, while others extend the option up to November 3, Election Day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Voting in the U.S.
What is the current status of early voting in the United States?
Over 18 million people have already participated in early voting across the country, with Democrats leading the turnout significantly.
Which states are showing record-breaking early voting numbers?
Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina are among the states experiencing unprecedented early voting numbers, with California leading the national count.
How has the Latino vote influenced early voting trends?
The Latino vote is critical, with a significant majority favoring Democratic control of Congress, and early voting participation is notably high in states like Florida.