More than 43 million ballots cast so far in midterms early voting surge

BBC News ^ | October 29, 2026 | Max Matza

[MinorityRepublican]

Voter voices: What issues matter most to Americans

With less than a week to go until the US midterm elections, which will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years, more than 43 million Americans have already voted.

Data from the University of Florida Election Lab indicates that four to five million early votes have been cast each day, representing a much higher rate than in most previous elections.

Texas has seen the highest above-average turnout rate so far, says Prof Mike McDonald, who runs the Election Lab database. Hispanic communities are also seeing a much higher turnout than usual.

Overall turnout appears on track to outpace 2020, or even 2018, which beat the 1914 record for overall turnout in a midterm election.

Texas has already surpassed its 2022 numbers by around 1.75 million voters, says McDonald. More than 5.8 million ballots have already been cast in the Lone Star state, which has emerged as a key battleground that could decide which party controls the Senate for the rest of Donald Trump's presidency.

Data from states that require voters to register a political affiliation indicates an increase is votes cast by Democrats, while Republican early voting numbers remain generally similar to 2022.

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

[MinorityRepublican]

Widespread precipitation is forecast for Election Day, with the heaviest activity centered over the Ozarks and rain extending across portions of the Great Plains, Midwest, and Texas. pic.twitter.com/B6Ajvk0psB— VoteHub (@VoteHub) October 29, 2026

[MinorityRepublican]

Beat the rain and vote early!

[MinorityRepublican]

Breaking: Just 48 hours of early voting remain. Polls are predicting a blue wave but this isn't the case for every state

Republicans surged in turnout in last 48 hours so see below for where states stand:

REPUBLICANS BEATING EXPECTATIONS:

🔴 Arizona

🔴 Texas

🔴 Alaska (New)

REPUBLICANS PERFORMING WELL:

🔴 Oregon

🔴 Maine

🔴 Iowa ⬆️

NEUTRAL:

🔵/🔴 Wisconsin

🔵/🔴 Michigan ⬇️

🔵/🔴 Pennsylvania

🔵/🔴 Kansas ⬆️

🔵/🔴 Nebraska ⬆️

🔵/🔴 Ohio ⬆️

BLUE WAVE HAPPENING:

🔵 Florida ⬇️

🔵 Georgia

🔵 Nevada

🔵 Louisiana ⬇️

BLUE TSUNAMI

🔵 Virginia

🔵 South Carolina ⬇️

🔵 North Carolina

🔵 New Jersey

This week has seen Republicans continue to gain in most states but from quite far behind so a lot of work still to do…— Election2026 Updates (@MadAboutSkin01) October 30, 2026

[Dan in Wichita]

A blue wave in Florida? Not buying it.

[TexasFreeper2009]

I really hope Paxton can pull this off, because otherwise I am going to be pissed beyond belief that we kicked Cornyn to the curb.

I feel that if Abbott wins by more than 3 he will be able to drag Paxton across the finish line with him.

[MinorityRepublican]

It's going to rain on Tuesday in Texas.

Tomorrow is the last day for early voting.

[Dan in Wichita]

It's going to rain on Tuesday in Texas.

Good thing someone invented the umbrella.

[MinorityRepublican]

Good thing someone invented the umbrella.

Trump voters are low-propensity voters. Trump's not on the ballot. And it is supposed to rain. Nah.

[napscoordinator]

I think they mean more Democrats have voted so far than Republicans. Or at least I hope that’s the case. I can’t stand the two Democrats running for governor and Senate in Florida. They’re the worst two I have ever seen. Luckily many of us haven’t voted yet and will vote for Byron and Angie Moody on Tuesday. I always vote on election day because I find it more exciting.

[MinorityRepublican]

Early voting is the better strategy.

If you're busy with work and you'll rather wait until Election Day, that's fine.

But really it's the "last chance".

The Democrats have scored already. We are waiting to score.