More than 50.5 million Americans have voted early ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, nearly five million more than the total recorded during the 2022 midterms.
The increase comes as both parties face closely contested races that could determine control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term.
Data from the University of Florida's Election Lab showed that early voting had surpassed 50.5 million by Saturday morning, ahead of Tuesday's election.
Among states that track voters' party affiliations, registered Democrats accounted for 10.7 million early ballots, compared with 7.8 million from registered Republicans.
These figures reflect the political registration of voters who have cast ballots and do not indicate which candidates they have supported.
The higher number of Democratic voters comes as Republicans face competitive contests in states that have traditionally favoured the party. Dissatisfaction with Trump's presidency and concerns about the cost of living have also become prominent issues in the campaign.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and are seeking to retain control of the chamber. Democrats are targeting traditionally Republican-leaning states, including Texas, Alaska and Kansas, where competitive races could help them secure a majority.
Texas has become a major focus of the contest, with more than seven million people having already voted early, as per the University data. This is around 1.5 million more than the number recorded in the state during the 2022 midterms.
The increase is also evident in Harris County, which includes Houston. By Wednesday, 862,700 people had cast early ballots there, compared with 564,500 at the same point in the 2022 election, the Associated Press analysis has found.
Harris County has consistently backed Democratic candidates in recent elections. In 2024, Kamala Harris defeated Trump in the county by nearly six percentage points in the presidential election. Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred also won the county by roughly 11 percentage points over Republican incumbent Ted Cruz.
This year's Texas Senate contest has drawn national attention, with Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton facing Democratic candidate James Talarico. Republican Governor Greg Abbott is also seeking re-election against Democrat Gina Hinojosa.
Early voting has also increased in other states with competitive Senate races. South Carolina, which Trump won by nearly 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, has recorded an 83% rise in early voting compared with the 2022 midterms, as per AP analysis.
In Kansas, where Republicans face another closely contested Senate race, early voting is up 34%. Maine has recorded a 44% increase, while Michigan has seen a rise of 32%, the AP reported.
The midterm elections will determine the composition of the House of Representatives and Senate for the remaining two years of Trump's term. Rising prices of food, petrol and other essentials, the war involving Iran and concerns about government corruption have featured in the political debate ahead of the vote.
Trump has held rallies across several states to support Republican candidates, including in areas that have traditionally been considered safe for the party. During his campaign appearances, he has repeatedly commented on candidates' physical appearance and dismissed concerns about rising petrol prices, pointing instead to the profits of fossil fuel companies.
Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday night, Trump acknowledged the demands of his campaign schedule. “I thought this was it,” he said. “I thought I could relax. Twenty-eight days of this crap in a row is a lot. It’s a lot.”
