Early Midterm Voting: 42 Million Cast Ballots Ahead of Election Day
University of Florida data shows a partisan divide in early turnout, with Democrats leading and higher engagement among minority voters.
By Robert Ward ·
More than 42 million Americans have already voted in the 2026 midterm elections. This figure reflects a surge in early voting that mirrors the participation levels seen during the 2018 cycle, a period often referred to as a blue wave.
Michael McDonald, a political scientist at the University of Florida, noted that the current enthusiasm favors the Democratic side. He stated that the United States may exceed the 2018 turnout rate, which stood as the highest for midterm elections since 1914. However, McDonald emphasized that these high numbers are not evenly distributed across the country.
The discrepancy stems from a clear partisan gap in early voting behavior. Registered Democrats and voters without a party affiliation are currently more engaged than registered Republicans. Specifically, Democrats make up 44% of the early votes cast, while Republicans account for approximately 31%.
McDonald observed a notable rise in early voting rates among young voters and minority groups. He described the current electorate as potentially the most diverse in U.S. midterm history, citing high engagement levels among African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. In contrast, he reported lower early voting activity among white voters. This trend suggests a shift in who participates before the final day of voting.
The data carries caveats regarding state voting rules. Not all states mandate party registration, and some do not prioritize early voting. McDonald pointed to states like Maine, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, where only about one-third of votes are cast early. These states differ significantly from mail-in voting states or regions with high in-person early voting volumes. Results for the November 3 election will be announced after polls close.
McDonald acknowledged that Democrats are building an early lead. He predicted that Republicans will close some of that gap on Election Day, though the final outcome remains pending until the polls close on Tuesday, November 3.
Source: KCTV5
