Early Voter Turnout Surges Across U.S. for 2026 Midterms
Voters across multiple states are casting early ballots in record numbers for the November 3 general election, driven by high-profile races and increased registration.
Early voting for the November 3, 2026, general election has seen significant turnout increases across the United States compared to 2022 levels. In Texas, registered voters reached a record high of over 19 million, with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex reporting some of its highest first-day early voting numbers for a midterm. Harris County, Texas, saw over 21,000 residents vote within the first three hours of early voting on October 19.
Amy Rolfes, the St. Joseph County Clerk in Indiana, reported that mail-in and walk-in votes rose to approximately 9,000, a significant increase over previous cycles. Similar surges occurred in Kansas, where Johnson County recorded a 97% increase in early in-person voting and Douglas County saw a 104% increase. In Arkansas, Benton and Washington counties reported increases of 77% and 61% respectively, which officials attributed to favorable weather and contested races for U.S. Senate and governor.
Other states also reported growth, with Minnesota seeing a 17% increase in absentee ballots. However, the process has faced challenges; Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reported a suspicious white powder sent to his office, and Washington state officials urged early mail-in submissions after 20,000 ballots were rejected in the primary. In Maine, voters were encouraged to use absentee ballots to avoid the influence of negative political advertising.
