U.S. Midterm Early Voting Hits Record 52.7 Million Ballots
Over 52 million Americans cast early ballots in record-breaking midterm elections to determine the balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate.
Early voting for the U.S. midterm elections reached a national record of 52.7 million ballots, surpassing the 2022 record of 45.9 million. Approximately 210 million registered voters are expected to cast ballots on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats being contested.
Donald Trump campaigned heavily in key states, including three visits to Texas in a single month. While early turnout was strong in Texas, California, and Florida, and record-breaking in Georgia and South Carolina, reports indicate significant voter burnout in six key states. Primary drivers of voter sentiment include the cost of living, disaster relief, and the war in Iran. In Michigan, Trump faced criticism for personal attacks against Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, while in Ohio, immigration and deportation efforts in Springfield remained central issues.
Legal challenges also emerged as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that sought to block Alaska from certifying the election loss of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. In California, officials reported high engagement with over 20 percent of voters casting ballots early, including in the gubernatorial race featuring incumbent Xavier Becerra. In North Carolina, local turnout in Nash County exceeded expectations by 4,000 votes, with officials projecting an overall turnout of 55 percent.
