Record early voting turnout reported in US midterm elections

A record-breaking 47.9 million Americans have already cast their ballots for the upcoming US midterm elections, according to data released on October 30, 2026. The University of Florida's Election Lab reported exactly 47,922,669 early votes, surpassing the previous record of 45.9 million set during the 2022 midterms. Out of a total of 226 million registered voters, these early figures show a higher participation rate from Democratic voters compared to Republicans.

Increased turnout is particularly notable in swing states, where high interest has fueled engagement. In Texas, where Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is challenging three decades of Republican dominance, over 6 million people had voted by Wednesday. Reports indicate that in-person early voting has surged by approximately 50% compared to the 2022 election cycle.

While the official Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, the early voting period continues to facilitate widespread participation. Officials and analysts are monitoring these trends as they often serve as an indicator of the final outcome. The high volume of early ballots suggests an exceptionally active electoral process across the nation.