54.5 Million Early Ballots Cast as 2026 Midterm Turnout Near 2022 Levels
54.5 million Americans have voted early for the 2026 midterm elections, nearly matching the total early vote count from 2022. Twenty-three states have already exceeded their 2022 early voting numbers, with Texas leading by casting 138% of its previous early total. While early voting does not determine final results, high turnout in competitive states like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio suggests intense competition for control of the Senate and House.
Key points
- 54.5 million early ballots have been cast as of November 2, 2026, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.
- This figure is nearly 100% of the early voting total from the 2022 midterms and represents almost half of the total votes cast in 2022.
- Twenty-three states have surpassed their 2022 early voting turnout, including Texas, Connecticut, Illinois, and Louisiana.
- Texas has cast more than 138% of its 2022 early votes, with 7.7 million in-person ballots cast in a competitive Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton.
- Georgia has cast over 2.8 million early ballots, equal to 71% of its total 2022 turnout, in races for Senate and governor.
- Ohio and Michigan have also seen high early turnout, with 1.6 million and 1.8 million ballots respectively, in competitive Senate and governor races.
Background
Previous coverage from October 30 to November 1, 2026, indicated that early voting had surged past 50 million, driven by Democratic enthusiasm and dissatisfaction with President Trump’s policies. National polls showed Democrats leading by 8.2 to 8.4 points. Texas had already recorded a record 7.4 million early votes by October 31, matching the 2018 midterm peak. Analysts cautioned that while early voting trends were strong for Democrats, final results remained uncertain due to potential Republican surges on Election Day, particularly in rural areas.
Why it matters
The 2026 midterms will determine control of the US Senate and House of Representatives, along with state and local races. High early voting turnout in competitive states like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio suggests intense competition and may influence the final outcome, although early voting data does not determine election results. The close races in these states could have significant implications for national policy and governance.
What to watch
Election Day is November 3, 2026. Final results will be determined after all ballots are counted, including those cast on Election Day. Analysts will monitor late surges in Republican turnout, particularly in rural areas, to assess the final outcome of competitive races in states like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio.
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