Early Voting Turnout Surges Across Multiple U.S. States

Early voting for the 2026 general election shows varying trends across several states, with notable surges in Delaware and Kentucky. In Delaware, over 129,500 people cast early ballots, more than doubling the turnout from the 2022 midterms. Evelyn Brady, Chair of the Delaware Democratic Party, noted that the party has expanded its presence in Sussex County, which accounted for 46% of the state's early ballots.

In Kentucky, Daviess County saw 8,184 early voters, while McLean County reported a 6.6% turnout. Daviess County Clerk Leslie McCarty reported consistent lines at the Owensboro Sportscenter, and McLean County Clerk Carol Eaton noted a slight increase in votes compared to 2022.

Mail-in ballot data reveals distinct partisan patterns. In Pennsylvania's Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, Democrats cast 67% of the 51,960 returned mail ballots, despite making up only 42% of registered voters. Conversely, in California's El Dorado County, registered Republicans accounted for 43% of returned ballots, while Democrats accounted for 36%. In El Dorado County, seniors aged 65 and older represented 58% of the early turnout, significantly exceeding their 35% share of the registered voter population.