Overview
- As of Oct. 1, 2026, more than 690,000 Americans had already cast or requested early ballots in at least 29 states, according to aggregated tallies reported by CNN and other outlets.
- In multiple competitive states Democrats make up a larger share of early ballot requests than at the same point in 2024, including Iowa (67% vs. 54%), Pennsylvania (66% vs. 62%), Maine (57% vs. 53%) and North Carolina (42% vs. 36%).
- Early figures cannot show who voters supported because ballots are secret and reporting rules differ by state, so final partisan vote totals will only be known after states report results on Election Night.
- The early electorate skews older, with voters 65 and older accounting for a rising share of mail and early ballots since 2020 and appearing more prominent in 2026 early returns.
- State patterns vary: Virginia stands out for high early participation concentrated in areas that favored Kamala Harris in 2024, and analysts warn Republicans could still narrow the early‑vote gap as in‑person early voting and Election Day turnout increase.