Millions More Americans Vote Early as Midterm Turnout Jumps

Americans are casting ballots at a rate that far exceeds the 2022 midterm election. Five days before Election Day, more than 43 million people have voted early in person or returned mail ballots. That total is nearly 10 million higher than the number recorded at the same point four years ago.

The increase is most visible in states holding competitive Senate races. Texas leads the surge, with over 6.3 million residents voting early as of Wednesday. In 2022, only 4.2 million Texans had voted by that date. This represents a 50% jump in advance participation.

South Carolina shows the steepest climb among major states. Early voting there is up 83% compared to 2022. Voters in the state are selecting a successor to late Senator Lindsey Graham. They are also choosing a new governor in an open seat contest.

Other battleground states report substantial gains. Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Kansas all see early voting increases of more than 30%. In Kansas, roughly 83,000 more ballots were cast than in 2022, a 34% rise. Michigan recorded about 409,000 additional early votes, a 32% increase. Maine saw a 44% jump in advance ballots.

Texas is the largest factor in the national numbers. The state’s two-week early in-person voting period ends Friday. Harris County, which includes Houston, reports 862,700 early votes as of Wednesday. That figure is up from 564,500 at the same point in 2022. The county has voted Democratic in recent major elections.

The Senate race in Texas pits Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico. Both are members of the Texas House of Representatives. The contest has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars in spending. Republican President Donald Trump visited the state earlier this week, his third trip there in one month.

Nationally, the data shows a slight edge for Democrats among early voters where party affiliation is known. Approximately 6.8 million Democrats have cast early ballots, compared to 5.2 million Republicans. These figures cover 47 states and Washington, D.C. They do not account for all early voters or indicate which candidates received the votes.

The 2022 baseline included 48 states and the nation’s capital. This year’s data covers 47 states and D.C. because some jurisdictions have different reporting timelines. The election will determine control of Congress two years into President Trump’s second term. Republicans currently hold the House and the Senate.

Michigan holds its first statewide midterm with early in-person voting available. Voters approved the measure in November 2022. In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson. In Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton. These contests are part of an expanded battleground map where Democrats seek upsets in traditionally Republican areas.