The key facts

  • Early voting began on October 19 in six states, two weeks before the November 3 elections
  • All 435 House of Representatives seats and more than a third of the Senate are up for election
  • Key Senate races: Texas (Paxton — Talarico), South Carolina, Arkansas, Alaska

Start of early voting

On Monday, October 19, in-person early voting opened in a number of US states ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. According to Anadolu, voting began in Texas, South Carolina, Arkansas, Alaska, Colorado and Connecticut — two weeks before Election Day. Control of Congress and numerous state-level offices are at stake.

What is being elected

Across the country, voters will choose all 435 members of the House of Representatives and more than a third of the 100 senators. Governors, state legislators and local ballot initiatives will also be decided.

Texas and South Carolina

In Texas, early voting runs through October 30, with polling hours varying by county. Attention is drawn to the Senate race between Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state legislator James Talarico. In South Carolina, voting runs through October 31. In the Senate election, Republican Darlene Graham, appointed after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, faces Democrat Annie Andrews. Voters will also choose a new governor in an open election. Polling places are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with October 25 a day off; photo identification is required.

Arkansas and Alaska

In Arkansas, early voting ends on November 2 at 5:00 p.m. local time. Republican Senator Tom Cotton is competing with Democrat Hallie Shoffner, while Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is seeking re-election against Democrat Fredrick Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby. Election authorities require photo identification or official documents, including utility bills or government pay stubs. In Alaska, in-person and absentee early voting began on Monday at designated locations and will run through Election Day; the state uses a ranked-choice voting system. In the Senate, Republican Dan Sullivan faces former Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola, and voters will also choose a successor to term-limited Governor Mike Dunleavy.

Colorado and Connecticut

In Colorado, after ballot drop boxes opened earlier across the state, voter service centers have begun operating. In Connecticut, a 14-day early voting period has started, running through November 1; polling places are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.