Over 43 Million Americans Cast Early Midterm Ballots
Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections has surged to over 43 million ballots nationwide, driven by economic concerns and competitive Senate races.
More than 43 million Americans have cast early ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, an increase of nearly 10 million compared to the 2022 midterms. This surge is particularly evident in states with competitive Senate races, including Texas, which saw a 50% increase with over 6.3 million voters, and South Carolina, where turnout rose 83% as voters select a successor to the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Other states reporting increases exceeding 30% include Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Kansas.
Donald Trump is serving his second term as president as the November 3 election determines control of Congress. National engagement is reaching historically high levels, with a Gallup survey indicating 56% of registered voters are more enthusiastic than usual, largely due to inflation and the cost of living. This political engagement contrasts with a decline in discretionary spending, noted by lower visitor numbers in Las Vegas.
State-level trends vary. Maryland reported a statewide early turnout increase of more than 60%, with significant congestion at Baltimore polling sites over issues like congressional redistricting and the performance of Governor Wes Moore. In contrast, Ohio saw a decrease in early participation, with more than 1 million ballots cast compared to 1.4 million in 2022. In Maine, nearly 245,000 residents voted early by October 28, though some voters expressed fatigue over a harsh campaign season.
