Over 46 Million Americans Vote Early in 2026 Midterms

More than 46 million Americans have cast early ballots for the November 3 midterm elections, significantly outpacing 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 early voters, and South Carolina, where turnout rose 83% as voters select a successor to the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Donald Trump is serving his second term as President while Republicans fight to maintain majorities in Congress amid unpopularity regarding a war in Iran and an immigration crackdown. Forecasters from the Cook Political Report suggest Democrats are favored to regain the House majority and potentially the Senate, shifting 12 House races toward Democrats.

Regional trends vary. Maryland reported a statewide early voter increase of over 60%, with high congestion in Baltimore over issues like congressional redistricting and the performance of Governor Wes Moore. In contrast, Ohio saw a decrease in early participation, with just over 1 million ballots cast compared to 1.4 million in 2022.

National engagement is reaching historically high levels, with a Gallup survey indicating 56% of registered voters are more enthusiastic than usual. This engagement is largely driven by economic concerns, including inflation and the cost of living, which have simultaneously led to a decline in discretionary consumer spending.