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Early voting 2026 is off to a fast start. More than 26.7 million Americans had already voted by mail or in person, according to NBC News’ early vote tracker. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, so there are about 10 days left. Here is what the numbers show, what they don’t, and how you can still vote early in your state.
Key Takeaways
- NBC News counts 26,783,589 early votes nationally: about 14.3 million by mail and 12.5 million in person.
- The tracker also shows more than 57.6 million mail ballots requested or sent.
- Early turnout is up compared with the 2018 and 2022 midterms, says University of Florida professor Michael McDonald.
- Experts warn that early voting surges do not always mean higher total turnout.
- Most states let you vote early without an excuse, but the rules vary, according to USA.gov.
Early Voting 2026 by the Numbers
The pace has picked up quickly. On Friday morning, nearly 21 million Americans had voted, NPR reported, citing the University of Florida Election Lab. That figure was up about 2 million from the day before, NPR said.
By Saturday, NBC News’ tracker showed more than 26.7 million votes. For context, nearly 122 million people voted in the 2022 midterms, according to NPR. So early ballots already make up a big slice of that total.
Turnout Is Up in Many States
“When I look on a state-by-state basis, what I see is turnout is up over the 2022 and 2018 midterm elections,” McDonald told NPR. He noted that 2018 had the highest midterm turnout rate since 1914.
Texas, home to a competitive Senate race, stands out. “There was over half a million more people who had voted than in 2022, a 50% increase of early voting,” McDonald said.
He also said turnout is up among unaffiliated voters. In North Carolina and Georgia, he said, Black and Hispanic voters are turning out in large numbers.
What Early Voting 2026 Numbers Don’t Tell You
It is easy to read too much into early data. NPR’s Saige Miller noted that early voting is “often a poor predictor of final results.”
Here is why. Many people voting early would have voted on Election Day anyway, according to MIT professor Charles Stewart. As NPR put it, a surge in early ballots “doesn’t necessarily mean more Americans will vote overall.”
Stewart said the increase reflects both voter enthusiasm and campaign money. “It also kind of reflects the large amount of money that’s in this campaign that’s going into retail politics, going door to door,” he said.
Party Patterns Are Shifting
In states with detailed data, Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, McDonald said. However, Democrats are generally more likely to vote early, while Republicans are more likely to vote on Election Day, NPR noted.
Stewart added that Democrats still lead in voting by mail. But that gap is smaller than in 2022, as more Democrats switch to early in-person voting. He also pointed to unusual early activity in Maine and Iowa.
In short, no one knows the outcome yet. We will find out after polls close on November 3.
Trump Casts His Ballot
President Donald Trump voted in person on Saturday, October 24, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Associated Press reported. He and first lady Melania Trump voted at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office.
Asked if he voted the party line, Trump said, “Very much so.” He then headed to a rally in Georgia.
How to Vote Early in 2026
Early voting 2026 rules depend on where you live. According to USA.gov, most states do not require an excuse to vote early. Still, dates, locations and hours differ by state and county.
Follow these steps:
- Check your registration. Visit Vote.gov to confirm your status and find your state’s rules.
- Find early voting dates and sites. Contact your state or local election office. USA.gov links to each one.
- Know the ID rules. Vote.gov lists what ID, if any, your state requires.
- Return mail ballots on time. Follow your state’s deadline and instructions. Some states require that ballots arrive by Election Day.
- Have questions? USA.gov offers help at 1-844-USAGOV1 (1-844-872-4681).
Mail Ballot Tips
If you received a mail ballot, read the instructions carefully. Sign where required and use the right envelope. Then ask your local election office whether you can track your ballot online.
Why Early Voting Matters to You
Voting early can save you from long lines on Election Day. It also gives you time to fix problems, such as a registration issue or a missing ID. If something goes wrong on November 3, you may run out of time.
Staying informed also helps you plan. For example, rising costs are a key issue for many voters. Read our coverage of the Nasdaq AI sell-off and 401(k) accounts and the Social Security COLA for 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have voted early in 2026?
NBC News’ tracker shows 26,783,589 mail and in-person early votes nationally as of Saturday, October 24.
When is Election Day 2026?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Do I need an excuse to vote early?
In most states, no. USA.gov says most states do not require an excuse, but rules vary. Check with your state or local election office.
Does high early voting mean high turnout?
Not necessarily. MIT’s Charles Stewart told NPR that many early voters would have voted on Election Day anyway.
How do I find my early voting location?
Contact your state or local election office, or start at Vote.gov or USA.gov.
Sources
- Tracking the 2026 early vote (NBC News)
- Millions of Americans have already cast their votes for the midterms (NPR)
- What’s behind the early voting surge? (NPR)
- Trump casts his midterm ballot early in Florida (NBC News / AP)
- Early voting (USA.gov)
- Vote.gov
- 2026 Early Voting (University of Florida Election Lab)
