By GulfInside Newsroom | October 22, 2026
Early voting is running well ahead of the 2022 midterm pace in several states central to the battle for control of the US Senate, according to an Associated Press analysis published Thursday.
More than 13 million early and mail-in votes have been cast nationwide, compared with about 9 million at the corresponding point in 2022, the AP reported. The figures are a snapshot of ballots already submitted, not a prediction of the final result.
Where early voting has increased
Texas has recorded a roughly 74% increase in early voting compared with the equivalent period four years earlier, while Kansas has more than doubled its early vote. North Carolina, Maine and Ohio have each recorded increases exceeding 30%, according to the AP analysis.
Patterns are not uniform: Michigan, Georgia and Iowa have seen stagnant or lower early-vote levels. Changes in voting access, campaign mobilization and the timing of ballots can affect comparisons across elections.
Why Senate contests matter
Republicans and Democrats are contesting closely watched Senate races in November. The Texas race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is among those drawing national attention, according to AP reporting.
Early turnout can indicate enthusiasm and organizational strength, but it does not establish which party is winning: many early voters might otherwise have voted on Election Day. Final turnout, late-breaking developments and the counting of all eligible ballots will determine the results.
What happens next
Election administrators will continue receiving eligible early and absentee ballots under each state’s rules. Readers should consult their state election authority for registration, voting and ballot-tracking information.
Source: Associated Press, October 22, 2026.
