The key facts

  • About 51 million voters cast their ballots early — more than a fifth of registered voters
  • The previous record from 2022 was 45.9 million early votes
  • In 27 states with party statistics: 43% of ballots for Democrats, 31% for Republicans

Record turnout in early voting

Four days before the US congressional midterm elections scheduled for November 3, about 51 million voters had already cast their ballots early — more than a fifth of all registered voters. Citing Bloomberg data, Kun.uz reports. The figure surpassed the previous record from 2022, when more than 45.9 million Americans voted early.

Party breakdown of early ballots

In the 27 states where the party affiliation of voters is tracked, 43% of early ballots were cast for Democrats and 31% for Republicans. Michael McDonald, director of the Election Research Laboratory at the University of Florida, noted that 'early voters leaned more toward the Democratic Party,' adding that on Election Day itself the electorate usually shifts toward Republicans.

What is being decided on November 3

In the midterm elections, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 senators, and the governors of 36 states are up for re-election. The outcome will determine whether Republicans keep control of both chambers of Congress — which, as the publication notes, will determine President Donald Trump's ability to pursue his policies without obstacles in the second half of his second term.