Early voting surges in key Senate battlegrounds ahead of Nov. 3 midterms

More than 13 million Americans have already voted by mail or in person ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, compared with 9 million at the same point in 2022, with sharp increases in several states that will decide control of the Senate, an AP analysis shows.

More than 13 million mail-in and early in-person ballots had been cast about two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, up from 9 million at the same point in 2022, according to an Associated Press analysis. Part of the increase reflects states that have expanded early voting or release more data than in the last midterms.

The rise is especially sharp in states expected to decide control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. In Texas, early voting is up 74%, with nearly 1 million ballots cast compared with about 550,000 in 2022. Early votes in Kansas have more than doubled to over 55,000, ballots in Maine are up 39%, and Ohio and North Carolina have each seen increases of about 30% or more.

An "I Voted" sticker on a voter's shirt

In most of the states where Democrats are targeting Republican-held seats, including Kansas, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio, Republicans make up a smaller share of advance voters than they did four years ago. Texas does not report ballots by party registration. Totals in Michigan and Georgia are high but similar to 2022, when both states set midterm turnout records, while early voting in Iowa is down about 6%.

The AP linked the surge to dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's tariffs, the high cost of living and high fuel prices tied to the Iran war. Key races include Texas, where Democrat James Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton for the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn; Kansas, where Republicans have put close to $12 million behind Sen. Roger Marshall against Democrat Adam Hamilton; and Maine, where Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson.

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