More than 54 million Americans vote early in midterm elections

• More than 54 million Americans have cast early ballots, according to CBS News, citing University of Florida data.
• The total surpasses the roughly 46 million early voters recorded in the 2022 midterm elections.

More than 54 million Americans have voted early in the 2026 midterm elections, according to CBS News, citing data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab.

The figure exceeds the approximately 45.9 million early ballots cast in the 2022 midterm elections, highlighting a surge in participation ahead of Election Day on November 3.

The early voting count includes ballots cast in person at designated polling locations and mail-in ballots returned to election officials. The university’s tracker compiles data from states that report early voting figures, although reporting practices vary.

The increase in early voting comes as Americans prepare to decide control of the US Congress, with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats up for election.

Republicans are seeking to maintain their majorities in both chambers, while Democrats are campaigning to regain control of Congress.

Early voting has increased in several key states, including Texas and North Carolina, where participation has exceeded levels recorded during the 2022 midterm elections.

The early voting figures offer an indication of voter participation but do not establish which party is likely to win.

In states that report voters’ party registration, Democrats have accounted for a larger share of early voters than Republicans. However, party registration does not necessarily reflect how a person voted, and ballots remain secret.

Election analysts have also cautioned that a record number of early ballots does not automatically translate into record overall turnout. The final participation rate will depend on how many additional voters cast ballots on Election Day.

The 2026 midterm elections will determine the composition of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term, making the outcome consequential for his administration’s legislative agenda.