Voters globally have now cast 3.6 million early votes with 21 days until the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Election analysts like Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Anthony Salvanto, director of elections and surveys at News, are examining what the preliminary results reveal and conceal about the contest for control of Congress.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Election | 2026 US Midterm Elections |
| Location | United States |
| Election Date | November 3, 2026 |
| Current Senate Majority | Republicans, 53 seats |
| Democratic Senate Target | Gain 4 seats to secure a majority |
| Senate Seats on Ballot | 35 |
| House Seats on Ballot | All 435 seats |
| Key States | Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Alaska |
| Georgia Early Voting | October 13 to October 30, 2026 |
| Current Status | Election Day approaching |
In many parts of the nation, mail-in voting is in progress, and the 3.6 million figure arrives as early. 3,474,584 mail-in and early in-person votes were counted nationwide by one national tracker, including 2.8 million mail-in votes and 695,300 in-person votes in addition to 51,546,379 requested or submitted mail-in ballots.
According to that tracker, the requested-or-sent total does not reflect voter intent because it includes all registered voters in states with universal vote-by-mail, where votes are automatically delivered. The figures are updated every day when states report, and they vary significantly depending on the methodology.
According to preliminary data, this was the case in a number of states with important gubernatorial or Senate elections.
Democrats Gain Ground in Early Voting Trends
Voters seeking votes are more likely to be Democrats than they were at this stage in 2024. Democrats now hold 67% of ballot requests in Iowa, up from 54% in 2024.
Cities and counties that voted for Kamala Harris by more than 20 points are at 78% of their turnout from this time in 2024, while those that went for Donald Trump by 20 points are at 61% in Virginia, which has recorded the most total votes of any state in that tally.
Republicans had a 30-point advantage over Democrats in Ohio, another key state on the Senate map.
| Early Vote Indicator | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Early ballots cast nationally | 3.6 million |
| Iowa: Democratic share of ballot requests | 67% (54% at the same point in 2024) |
| Pennsylvania: Democratic share of ballot requests | 66% (62% two years ago) |
| Virginia: Strong Harris vs. strong Trump localities, pace vs. 2024 | 78% vs. 61% |
| Ohio: GOP lead in strongest Trump counties | About 5 points, down from 30 at this point in 2024 |
Early Voting Data Limitations
The limitations of this data are emphasized by analysts. Republicans have been far more likely to cast ballots early in person or on election day in recent years, and party registration indicates who returned a ballot rather than who they choose.
The total number of votes cast is still a tiny portion of the anticipated turnout, according to reporting. Additionally, the dates on which states open early voting vary greatly. According to Ballotpedia, Arizona started early voting on October 7, 2026, Washington on October 16, and a number of states, including Texas, Colorado, and Alaska, on October 19. This implies that the national total will increase rapidly.
Senate Control and Election Stakes
The stakes are really high. Democrats would need to hold onto their existing Senate seats and get four more in order to overtake Republicans, who now hold a 53-47 advantage.
All House seats and 35 Senate positions are up for election on November 3. Among the contests garnering interest are those in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska. On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, early voting in Georgia started in person.
The deadline for advance voting is October 30. Observers will keep an eye on whether Republican in-person early voting on Election Day reduces the Democratic advantage shown in mail-in ballot requests over the course of the next 21 days.
