A record 47.9 million Americans have already voted in the midterm elections, with a sharp increase in turnout in many key states and more Democratic than Republican voters having cast their ballots so far, according to data released today.
The University of Florida’s “Election Lab” has so far tallied 47,922,669 early votes nationwide. The previous record was set in the 2022 midterm elections, with 45.9 million votes.
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This year, 226 million people are registered to vote, according to federal data.
The election will take place on Tuesday, but early voting is also available.
The increase in voter turnout observed this year is particularly evident in states considered swing states. In Texas, where Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico hopes to end three decades of Republican dominance, more than 6 million people had already voted by Wednesday. In-person turnout has increased by about 50% compared to the 2022 election.
Turnout is also high in North and South Carolina. In Kansas, where the Republican senator is facing a tough race, the number of early votes cast last week was nearly two-thirds higher than in the 2022 election, according to local authorities.
In states that track voters’ political affiliations, significantly more Democrats than Republicans are choosing to vote early: about 44%, compared to 31% and 25% for independents or those who support smaller parties.
Turnout is also higher among African Americans and Hispanics in states that report such voter data.
Experts point out, however, that these numbers should not be interpreted as an indication of the final outcome. A voter’s political alignment does not necessarily mean they will vote for their party’s candidate. Furthermore, tens of millions of Americans will head to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday.
In past elections, Republicans have tended to vote primarily on Election Day, which could overturn the Democrats’ lead. Furthermore, increased early voting does not necessarily mean that overall voter turnout will be higher.
The pope exercised his right to vote by mail
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Leo exercised his right to vote by mail in the United States midterm elections. The news was reported today by the Italian and American press.
“The Holy Father of the Catholics confirmed that during his stay in Peru he exercised his right to vote, as he has done every time he has had the opportunity. The Pope believes that citizens should exercise their right—which is also a duty—to participate in democratic processes,” added the Holy See’s press office.
Pope Leo XIV holds American and Peruvian citizenship, as well as Vatican citizenship. There does not appear to have been any of his predecessors who, in the past, exercised the right to vote outside the Vatican.
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Source: KYPE
