Early voting sets national midterms record, breaking 2022 mark

WASHINGTON — As of early Friday, more than 46 million Americans had cast ballots ahead of Election Day, eclipsing the early voting turnout of the 2022 midterms, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab.

In the 2022 midterm elections, 45.9 million Americans voted early, according to the UF Election Lab. 

It’s still unclear if this year’s midterm elections will break the overall record voter turnout of 2018. The 53% turnout that year was the highest rate in a midterm since 1914.

UF political science Professor Michael McDonald, who leads the election lab, said in an interview this week that based on the incoming early voting data, overall turnout is shaping up to match 2018 participation. 

Of the early voting participants up to Friday, 43.9% are registered Democrats, 31.3% are registered Republicans and 24.8% have no party affiliation, according to the UF Election Lab.

Republicans are vying to maintain their majority in both chambers amid anemic presidential approval ratings that stem from an unpopular war in Iran and an aggressive immigration crackdown. 

Democrats are favored to win back the majority in the House, which presidents often lose in midterm elections, and potentially the Senate, according to elections forecasters. 

The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter shifted 12 House races in the direction of Democrats on Oct. 30. The elections forecaster lists 18 House races as toss-ups.

In the Senate, the Cook Political Report identified seven toss-up races, in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Texas.