Over 53 million Americans have cast their ballots early for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, reflecting a notable rise in early voting compared to the previous midterm elections in 2022. This surge in participation is occurring amid highly competitive races that will influence the balance of power in Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s second term. Reports indicate that Democrats have outperformed Republicans in early voting participation.

As of 6:56 am Eastern time on Sunday, an analysis from the University of Florida revealed that 53.14 million individuals had voted early. This total comprises approximately 29 million in-person votes and 23 million mail-in ballots, drawn from a pool of around 210 million registered voters. This figure surpasses the 46 million early votes recorded at the same point during the 2022 midterm elections.

Democratic voters have shown a stronger inclination to vote early, with over 11 million registered party members participating, compared to roughly 8 million Republicans. Recent national polls suggest that Democrats currently hold a lead, with 51.5 per cent support against 43.1 per cent for Republicans.

States Experiencing Early Voting Increases

Texas, a crucial battleground state, has recorded a significant uptick in early voting, with more than 7 million ballots cast, representing an increase of over 1.5 million compared to the early voting figures from the 2022 midterms. This data was also provided by the University of Florida analysis. South Carolina has seen an 83 per cent rise in early voting compared to the same period in 2022, according to an Associated Press analysis.

This increase is particularly noteworthy as Trump won South Carolina by nearly 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The state is currently hosting open contests for both governor and the US Senate. In Kansas, early voting has risen by 34 per cent, with about 83,000 more ballots cast than during the corresponding stage of the previous midterm elections.

Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing off against Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton, a Methodist minister. Maine has also seen a 44 per cent increase, where Republican Senator Susan Collins is competing against Democratic candidate Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president. Michigan has experienced a substantial rise in early voting, with around 409,000 more early votes than recorded at the same time in 2022, indicating a 32 per cent increase.

Factors Driving Early Voting Trends

Early voting allows registered voters to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day, either in person or via mail. All 50 states offer mail-in voting, and many also provide options for in-person early voting. The number of states permitting early in-person voting has grown from 24 in 2000 to 47 in 2026, including Washington, DC. However, the rules and procedures for early voting vary significantly across states.

Several factors contribute to the rising popularity of early voting, according to the University of Maryland’s Centre for Democracy and Civic Engagement. Many voters find it more convenient to vote early due to work commitments or personal schedules. Additionally, election campaigns and community outreach efforts have mobilised voters to participate ahead of Election Day.

Concerns about election anxiety also play a role, with many voters preferring to complete the voting process early rather than wait until polling day. Initiatives aimed at making voting a community event, such as ‘Parties at the Polls’, have emerged to encourage participation by fostering a celebratory atmosphere at polling locations. However, early voting statistics alone do not indicate voter preferences or guarantee election outcomes. The political landscape remains dynamic as Election Day approaches.

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